CSR PROGRAMMES

ROTARY "GIFT OF LIFE" PROGRAMMES

Approximately 8 of every 1000 children in India suffer from birth heart defects (Congenital Heart Disease CHD). One of the chronic diseases, therefore, which accounts for almost 20 percent of infant mortality in India is congenital heart disease. Similarly, almost 1-5% of children develop a rheumatic fever before the age of 15 years (Disease of the heart valves). However, facilities for complex heart surgery in children in our country are very limited. Either the children do not have access to treatment, or they do not have the financial resources to meet the hefty costs of surgery. Considering the fact that 80% of medical care facility is in the hands of the private sector in India, Rotary International approached National Heart Institute, New Delhi in the year 2006 for a humanitarian partnership to save the lives of these unfortunate children. During the Silver Jubilee Celebrations on 20th of August 2006, National Heart Institute in association with Rotary Club, East End and Rotary International launched the Gift of Life Programme. Under this programme, children were provided free cardiac surgery, medicine, food, accommodation, hospitality, conveyance etc.

National Heart Institute is one of the main centres in India for the Gift of Life programme of Rotary International wherein poor children from all over India and adjoining countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are brought for surgery of congenital (birth) defects like holes in the heart, blue babies, valve replacement surgeries etc. More than 305 children have been operated under this programme.

Children have come to NHI from all parts of India, especially from remote areas of Northeast India, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and even Uganda. All surgeries are performed by a team of surgeons led by Dr. O. P. Yadava, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Cardiac Surgeon, National Heart Institute. Under this programme our team performed lifesaving Open Heart Surgery on a critically ill child from Uganda under the Gift of Life programme. The successful valve replacement of Kabuuka Emmanuel, a 16-year-old boy marked the beginning of a new relationship between the people of India and Uganda according to Her Excellency Ms. Nimisha Madhvani, High Commissioner of Uganda to India, who visited NHI to meet the child. Kabuuka underwent open heart surgery at NHI on 29 December, 2009 and returned to Uganda on 14 January 2009. This case was a challenge for NHI because Kabuuka’s surgery was rejected by 5 different hospitals in the US, being a high-risk case.

This was followed by the launch of a new programme called 'Our Hearts are in Uganda' & subsequently, many more children from Uganda successfully underwent complex surgeries in the form of valve replacement and correction of congenital heart defects. This programme is a classic example of how Rotary and NHI can promote peace and understanding between nations through international humanitarian service as this initiative transcends borders, caste, creed, region, religion, race and colour. Through Gift of Life partnership Rotary and NHI are giving life to children otherwise born to die! Many children from Northeast India have also undergone successful heart surgery at NHI. His Excellency Gen J J Singh, then Hon’ble Governor of Arunachal Pradesh & Mrs. J. J. Singh visited NHI to congratulate the team personally. Rotary International President Rtn D K Lee also visited NHI to congratulate the team while seven children were being successfully operated. Rotarians and the hospital staff at NHI, that are working on these children, are an answer to a parent's prayers and are changing the world, one little heart at a time. NHI and Rotary intend to arrange more surgeries per year in the coming years. We invite all our friends & well-wishers to join in this venture & help bring a smile to at least one face each.