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BACKGROUND

ABOUT AIHF

On the 5th of May 1962, the “All India Heart Foundation” was established, mainly due to the efforts of the first woman cardiologist of India, Padma Vibhushan Awardee, Dr. S. Padmavati. She was greatly influenced by her guru Dr. Paul Dudley White, who sought to transform the way medical science catered to the needs of a common person.

AIHF has been affiliated with the World Heart Federation (WHF), and its predecessor International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC) since 1963 and has been a Member of its Board of Directors, its Research Epidemiology Committee, and its Adhoc committee on Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease (RF/RHD). AIHF is a member of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) and Dr. S. Padmavati was its President from 2006 to 2008. Dr. Padmavati was the First Secretary. General of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) (founded in 1956). AIHF held the 5th World Congress of Cardiology in Delhi in 1966, the only time it has been held in India, and International RF Symposium under the auspices of World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1981.

AIHF has close links with the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, British Heart Foundation, Japan Heart Foundation, Heart Foundation of Australia, and National Heart Foundation of New Zealand among others.

  • ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

    • The affairs of the foundation are managed by a Board of Directors who collectively form the governing body. The members are eminent doctors, legal experts, philanthropists, scientists, bureaucrats, auditors, financial analysts and administrators of high standing. In keeping with its all-India character, it has branches in other parts of the country.

  • OBJECTIVES/FUNCTIONS OF THE FOUNDATION

    • The main objectives are scientific research in the area of cardiac sciences. The Foundation actively pursues its goal of control of heart diseases in India through public health education, continuing medical education of doctors and para-medical personnel and development of national educational programs and strategies for the prevention of heart diseases. AIHF also aims at improving diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for lifestyle diseases. Through its Population Outreach Program, it helps those below the poverty line with free pacemakers, heart valves, and other advanced forms of treatment.

  • PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

    • The AIHF has carried on public health activities since its inception. It has been publishing its own Newsletter, HEART NEWS since 1962 without break. Blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, smoking, high blood lipids, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress etc. are important. The foundation has been regularly featuring articles on these aspects in its bulletins. The organization has also brought out several brochures relating to heart diseases for the use of laymen. A book on "Heart Disease and the Layman" by Dr. S. Padmavati was published in English by the National Book Trust of India in its Popular Science series and translated into Tamil, Hindi, Urdu, Gurmukhi and Marathi. Lectures, radio talks and television programmes on many aspects of heart disease are given by the directors and other senior members of the foundation throughout the year in English and regional languages in Delhi and elsewhere.

  • COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

    • The AIHF is the only heart foundation in India affiliated to the World Heart Federation, which is an international body for coordinating heart societies and foundations throughout the world. Thus, it has links with other national heart foundations throughout the world for the exchange of information and knowledge so that it could be disseminated for the benefit of professionals and laity alike, in the country. It is recognized as a collaborative centre of WHO in preventive cardiology since 1980, the only one in the SEARO region. It is a member of the World Hypertension League and Heartbeat International.

  • HEALTH EDUCATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

    • National Heart Institute celebrates World Heart Day on 29th September, World Diabetes Day on 14th November, World Health Day on 7th April, World Hypertension Day on 17th May and World No Tobacco Day on 31st May, every year. In all these functions a large number of individuals from the public are examined by our consultants, investigations are done and advice regarding preventive aspects like proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle modifications is given. Exhibition on preventive health care and screening of health education films is also done. National Heart Institute caters to outdoor consultation, education and counselling on Diabetes, obesity, cholesterol related diseases, thyroid disorders, alcohol and smoking. Indoor care for Diabetes & Lifestyle disorders is also taken care of.

  • RECOGNITION BY GOVT AND ALLIED AGENCIES

    • The Ministry of Science and Technology (Department of Scientific & Industrial Research), Government of India has recognised the Foundation as a scientific research organisation. AIHF was recognised as a Collaborative Center of WHO in 1980 and has carried out joint research programs with it.

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