The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Save A Child's Heart programme launched

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Save A Child's Heart programme launched

Special Correspondent

Apollo Hospitals partners with Madras Round Table 1 for the programme

IN A LIGHTER MOMENT: Arcot N. Veerasamy, Electricity Minister, greeting M.R. Girinath, chief cardiac surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, at the inauguration of Save A Child's Heart programme in Chennai on Tuesday. Suneeta Reddy, group finance director, Apoll o Hospitals, is also in the picture. — Photo : M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Apollo Hospitals, partnering with Madras Round Table 1, launched the Save A Child's Heart (SACH) programme in Chennai on Tuesday.

SACH aims at providing cardiac and cardio-thoracic treatment for underprivileged children born with heart disease. This need-based initiative covers prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and funding. Treatment includes surgical intervention, diagnostic procedures and follow-up care for children.

Arcot N. Veerasamy, Minister for Electricity, said the project would take healthcare to children who, otherwise, would not be able to access quality intervention. With SACH, which he called a novel and path-breaking effort, these underprivileged children could be treated at standards comparable to the West. He promised to donate a month's salary towards the cause.

Suneeta Reddy, group finance director, Apollo Hospitals, said the project was very close to their hearts.

The team at Apollo, headed by M.R. Girinath, chief cardiac surgeon, had inspired many other doctors all over the country and abroad.

According to statistics, between three and eight children for every 1,000 live births are born with congenital heart defects, and two-thirds of these children die before the first year, said Dr. Girinath.

He also spoke about the non-availability of medical insurance in the country. Young patients with easily correctible heart defects go untreated and become inoperable over a period of time. SACH will help Apollo to reach out to more children, Dr. Girinath said, adding that the hospital had a dedicated paediatric cardiac team.

Presentation

P.P. Prashant, chairman, Madras Round Table 1, made a presentation on 50 years of the existence of the club. Cheques were handed over to voluntary organisations on behalf of MRT 1.

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