Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in association with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra, today entered into a partnership with Punjab based “Have a Heart Foundation” to sponsor Heart procedures for children within the age bracket of one day to 16 years, belonging to economically poor backgrounds.
The partnership launching a project called “Every life matters”. The project will provide highly subsidised treatment support to patients (children) who belong to economically backward families and are suffering from congenital heart ailments.
President of the Ludhiana based Foundation, Balbir Kumar, met Satya Pal Malik, Governor J&K, and Chairman of Shrine Board, today at Raj Bhawan, Jammu, and briefed him about this important project. Simrandeep Singh, CEO of the Board along with K S Dattatreya, Facility Director of the Kakryal Hospital were also present during the meeting with the Governor.
The project aims to heal countless young ailing hearts and ensure that these children live to see a healthy future. Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) are the most common Heart Diseases by birth. As medical care and treatment have advanced, babies with a CHD are living longer and healthier lives. Some of the most common Heart Diseases are ASD (Atrial Septal Defects), VSD (Ventricular Septal Defects), PDA (Patent Ductus arteriosus), etc. Many of these birth defects can be corrected by Interventional Cardiology procedures using Device Closures. If it’s not possible to close it by interventional Cardiology Procedures, then an Open-Heart Surgery is required to correct the anomalies. And all these defects are correctable conditions and when once corrected, the individual leads a healthy life.
Ludhiana based Have a Heart Foundation has been sponsoring patients since 2012 and so far around 200 children have benefitted from their noble initiative. The Foundation already partners with leading Health institutions to carry forward its mission. However, based on the interest shown by the Shrine Board and the competence of Kakryal hospital, particularly in Cardiology, the present partnership has been finalised.
It is pertinent to mention that more than 60 patients, only from J&K, are in long waiting, ranging from 1-2 years, at PGI/ AIIMS for such procedures. This initiative will immediately bring relief to these families.
Governor appreciated the initiative and assured full cooperation to the Foundation.
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