Congenital hear issases (CHD) account for as much as 28 per cent of all birth defects. The incidence of CHD is around 8-12 per
1000 lve bits. In India, every year, approximately 240,000 chidren are bom with CHD, of which one-ffh need early intervention to sunive the first year of fe. These estimates are based on regional hospital based data and the actual numbers may be higher considering the high rates of matemal infections uring pregnancy and 2 significant percentage of unsupervised home deliveries
vihere cial CHO may escape defection
The magnitude of the problem is further compounded by a large pool of older infants and children who may have survived
despite no intervention
Taking the prevalence of CHD into consideration, thers are an estimated 25 milion (2 crore) chien, adolescents and adits
vith unireated CHD in Inia, which poses a hugs challenge and burden on the patients, their families and on socisty.
If access to screening, early iagnos's and treatment is available, he baby has a 95% chance of survival with good longrlerm outcome,
Stich advanced care i practically unavailae to over 50% of babies bom in developing countries, including India.
A number of cardiac centers have been developed over the last 10 years. However, most are n the pivas sector. and are
ot geographically wel-disrbuted
Challenges to pediatric cardiac care include financial constraints, health-secking behavior of community, and lack of awareness Govemment of India i taking a number of steps for improving health of children tough is varius program and schemes that are likely to benefit children wih congenital heart disease, especially those who are winerable and marginalized
wil not be out of lace here to mention that the number of children bor vith CHD n Asia have no or minimal access to heallhcare. which ullimately resus in a much higher chic mortaty rate compared vith the rest of the worid Hencs Rotary has
to play a pivoted role in addressing tis issue.
In Mumbai, Rotary District 3140 now 3141/3142 stared Pediatric Heart Surgery programme in 2012-13 named as Touching Litle Hearts" Infill Imited to Kokilaben Dirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDA) at Andheri District 3141 and 3142 are now undertaking
such surgeries in many hospital. Currenty, apart from KDAH, Pediatric Heart Surgery programme is going on in SRCC Hospital, Haj All Wadia Hospital, Parel Forts Hospital Mulund and Jupiter Hospital, Thane and some more hospitals, Starting ith ust 50 surgeries n 2012-13, the programme has gone from strength fo strength i subsequent years
Itis estmated that annually, Rotary Districts 3141 and 3142 supports about 1500 surgeries in all hese hospitals costing more. than Rs.30 Crores ~ undoubtedly the largest philanthropic actvy of Rotary in ths part of the Rotary Wor.
India is a country with more than a billon population and a crude birth ate of 27.2/1000 population, This would amount o about
28 milon Ive bifths every year Going by an
incidence of congenial heart disease (CHD) of 8/1000 ive biths, we could expect about 180,000 chldren bom with an
abnormal heart fom these, nary 60,000-30,000 suffer from citcal GHD requiing earl intervention
Apart from Rotary District 3141/42 there are some more Districts n the courly which are involved in this activ under Gift of
Life or Save the ltl angels, We do appreciate the support Rotary is receiving fom some of he corporates under GSR and
the support rom the Rotary Foundation. Al he same we must realise that there are very few Charfable organisations in India
which are working forthe children bor wit tis isease.
Let Rotary promo this project whole heartedly and save the children. Lets support and help Rotary to heal lie hearts and
give a chance of fe fo children born wih Congenital Heart Defects.