Chennai : Aishwarya Trust in collaboration with Fortis Malar Hospitals today celebrated completion of 700 successful cardiac surgeries that have been performed on children from the underprivileged sections of the society suffering from congenital heart 
defect (CHD). To mark the occasion, around 50 children who underwent the surgery were also present at the event. The chief guests of the event were Mr.Jai, Film Actor, Dr.K.V Raman, Director–Medical Services, Pondicherry and Dr.N.R Krishnan, Director–Cognizant Foundation.
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT (CHD) is a category of heart disease that includes abnormalities in cardiovascular structures that occur before birth. These defects occur while the foetus is developing in the uterus and is known to affect approximately 1 in 125 children worldwide. In India alone every year 1.5 lakh children are found with congenital heart failure. Keeping in mind the current scenario and the need for the expertise in paediatric cardiology, Fortis Malar Hospitals conducted the surgeries at minimal operation cost and a significant part of the costs incurred were funded by the city-based NGO – Aishwarya Trust.
The ongoing cardiac program is a reflection of the wonderful co-operation between the Tamil Nadu Government through their Insurance Scheme, Fortis Malar Hospital, Aishwarya Trust and the eminent and dedicated team of Doctors.
The Health Department of Government of Puducheri has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aishwarya Trust and Fortis Malar Hospitals. Through this MoU, they will offer super specialty care in the field of paediatric cardiology at the Rajiv Gandhi Women and Childrens Hospital Puducheri.
“About 78,000 children born with congenital heart disease in India die every year because of inadequate health care facilities in the country. Every child deserves a chance to get the best available treatment in the country and we, at Aishwarya Trust, are here to lend a helping hand to these children” said Mrs. Chitra Viswanathan, Trustee, Aishwarya Trust.
Dr K.R. Balakrishnan, Director Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Malar Hospitals, Chennai, said: “Congenital heart defects can be completely corrected if they are diagnosed early. State-of-the-art investigation techniques, such as foetal echocardiography, can detect heart defects in the womb itself, in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. The defects can also be identified four or five days after birth. Many of these defects need to be followed carefully else they lead to a loss of life.”
Fortis Malar Hospital, recognized amongst the most renowned cardiac centers in the country, has surpassed its own benchmarks and raised the bar of cardiac services available in the country. The hospital has one of the most Advanced Pediatric Heart Surgery and Pediatric Intensive care units in the country, comparable to the best in the world.