| Bravehearts- our heroes! |
The Annual “Braveheart” Awards are part of an on-going effort by the Department of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Asian Heart Institute, to encourage people living with heart disease to live a heart-healthy life while living it to the fullest. The awards are being given to individuals who can serve as role models for others suffering from heart disease, especially in this country where most people seem to think that the first heart attack is the end of the road for them.
The Third Annual Braveheart Awards were held on 29th Aug’09 (Sat) with full gusto. The Chief Guest for the function was Mr. Dinesh Trivedi- Hon’ble Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. The awards were a huge success with our Chairman- Mr. M S Verma & Vice Chairman- Dr. Ramakanta Panda felicitating the bravehearts with customized trophies. The function, which was a source of inspiration for all those who have had a number of things go wrong with them, but have weathered the storm to emerge winners, was organized by Dr. Aashish Contractor and his team.
The Braveheart Awards recognizes the endeavors of the cardiac patients who, against all odds, work towards achieving good health and staying active. It helps send out the message that chronic disease doesn’t mean the end of life, and these people are setting an example every day for those battling heart disease.
Click here for pics of The Annual “Braveheart” Award programme |
| |
| "Healing Little Hearts" to become a monthly camp for kids |
 'Healing Little Hearts'- an initiative of AHI & NHS Trust, UK was started to heal children suffering from heart diseases. It was committed to be a quarterly programme- commencing in Feb'09 & then followed by another camp in May'09. The UK team was back here in Aug'09 & together we brought back the happiness to many more families. Good news is that the frequency would now increase from quarterly to monthly with the support of Dr. Abdul Rasheed who has recently joined AHI as a Fulltime Pediatric Cardiologist.
According to Dr. Vijay D'Silva - Medical Director, Asian Heart Institute "One could say that incidences of pediatric heart disease are on the rise chiefly due to three reasons; (a). ignorance of the mother in rural areas where quacks sometimes prescribe all kinds of medicines (b). the lifestyle of the mother in urban areas. (c). environmental influences. We offer a special package to the children who are from a financially deprived background. As a part of the package, the family has to arrange for a basic amount for the surgery. The gap would be borne by AHI & AHI Charitable Trust."
Expressing his view on the current status of the pediatric cases renowned U.K based pediatric cardiologist Dr. Abdul Rashid who has recently joined AHI full time and partners with Dr. Panda for conducting the pediatric camp said "Though the incidence of congenital heart disease was thought to be about 3/1000 live birth, most of the recent studies show increased incidence up to 10-15 / 1000 live birth. About half of these patients have major form of heart disease needing intervention by experts. About 10% of infant deaths in India are due to congenital heart disease. Congenital heart surgery has advanced rapidly over the last few decades, the risk of death or major complication is less than 2% in most of the centers. By delay in making diagnosis and performing surgery on these patients, many defects become inoperable"
Click here for pics of the Healing Little Hearts programme |
| |
| PM’s CARDIAC SURGEON GETS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD |
 Dr. Ramakanta Panda was conferred the ‘Bank of Baroda Sun Lifetime Achievement Award’ on the July 20, 2009 at a function held in Mumbai. The annual award is given to eminent personalities for their outstanding performance in their respective fields. Dr. Panda has been awarded for his pioneering efforts in cardiac care & research while bringing hope to many beating hearts. Dr. Panda, the Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Heart Institute has operated upon many members of parliament & state legislators & has performed over 700 redo bypass surgery & more than 12,000 cardiac surgeries.
He was felicitated by Mr. M.D. Mallya, the CMD of Bank of Baroda & Executive Directors - Mr. R.K. Bakshi & Mr. V. Santhanaraman.
Click here for pics of the Lifetime Achievement Award function |
| |
| LOW-COST CARDIAC SURGERY TO SPELL HOPE: THIS ONE'S FOR THE CHILDREN |
 At Asian Heart Institute we believe in reaching out to all patients in need of quality cardiac care. We are proud to have a pediatric cardiac care centre that distinguishes itself in being the 'Only Comprehensive Pediatric Care Centre in Western India.' In our endeavor to stretch out to maximum number of patients with congenital heart defects, we have now got associated with the NHS Trust, UK. As a part of this initiative, we invite a team of esteemed & distinguished doctors from the trust, to offer their best expertise to the little cardiac patients along with the team from AHI. In what promises to be a quarterly feature, the team was here for a week in Feb'09 & then again in May'09 to consult & operate on children suffering from heart diseases. A special pediatric cardiac package is offered on registration to all the non affording patients. The response received has been overwhelming-In both the visits, cardiac surgeries were successfully performed on little hearts giving them a new lease of life & returning the smile back on their faces.
According to the UK based team, the Western region of India has barely 4-5 pediatric heart units (one being in AHI) to cater to a patient pool that runs into lakhs.
"Pediatric heart disease is a neglected field in India and we want to do our bit for them. We evaluate the cases on the basis of both complexity and lack of funds and then decide which cases to operate on. The cost of the surgery is borne partially by the family, partially by AHI & partially by other charitable trusts" said Dr. Ramakanta Panda, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Heart Institute.
Click here for pics of the Healing Little Hearts programme |
| |
| AKSHAY KUMAR - THE FACE OF 126-126 |
 The Asian Heart Helpline-126 126 was launched on 23rd Feb'09 through the hands of Hon'ble Governor- Mr. S C Jamir, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare- Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss & Superstar Mr. Akshay Kumar.
At a function held on 21st March'09 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai- Akshay Kumar was formally announced as the Good Heart Ambassador for the helpline. Speaking at the function, Dr. Ramakanta Panda, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Heart Institute said: "I don't think there is anyone fitter than Akshay in Bollywood. He is 42, but has a heart of a 24 year old. His cardiovascular fitness is right up there. I choose him as the Good Heart Ambassador because unlike other Bollywood celebs who resort to artificial means to build their physiques, Akshay is completely natural. He is a role model especially for youngsters as his body is not made of any steroids or artificial supplements. He came forward and asked me to put himself on the hoardings. I got worried as I thought how can I afford his services for our helpline. It was his generous HEART that comforted me. His commitment is not commercial and he has confirmed my belief that he is the only RIGHT choice for a cause such as this. He is the man with a BIG heart and he is rightly the GOOD HEART AMBASSADOR of Asian Heart Helpline."
Akshay Kumar has volunteered to make this no. 126126 a number with every household. He emphasises, "I am not doing a brand endorsement here.. I am here to save precious human lives. I am here to help the city get medical help within the first 30 mins of their making a phone call." He is eager to revolutionize this movement and calls for our society to come forward and join hands to make this movement their own. Akshay says his commitment to this program is not for any defined period. "This program will remain alive within me till the time I have a Heart,... I will make sure that everyone remembers this number by HEART"
Dr. Sudhir Vaishnav, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, AHI further added: "Akshay Kumar wants that this helpline should be etched in everyone's heart & mind. His commitment towards this cause, undoubtedly goes to prove that he is the finest choice to be the Good Heart Ambassador!"
Dr. Akil Khan continued, "It is just the beginning and with Asian Heart helpline riding on the strong shoulders of two stalwarts - both Akshay Kumar and Dr. Ramakanta Panda, we will save many precious lives. One is a magician who has opened more than 10,000 hearts and the other is a Braveheart who has won many a heart..."
Please click here for pics of the function at Taj Lands End, Mumbai |
| |
| HEART HELPLINE - "CALL LIFE AT 126-126" |
 Asian Heart Institute (AHI) in the past six years has set a benchmark in providing quality heart care. Through our patient-centric facilities, highest quality & world class medical team our endeavour has always been to offer the best treatment & care.
Together with support from Suman Ramesh Tulsiani & Asian Heart Institute Charitable Trust, we have launched Mumbai's First Full Service Heart Helpline - "Call Life at 126-126" for cardiac patients. This unique service is set apart for patient’s requiring instant medical attention in Mumbai by simply dialing 126-126 .The helpline was launched on the 23rd Feb. ’09 through the hands of -
• Honorable Governor of Maharashtra - Mr. S C Jamir
• Honorable Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare- Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
• And eminent Superstar – Shri Akshay Kumar
The services include:
• A 24x7 cardiac assistance over phone,via a Doctors Cell manned by trained Doctors
• Heart Helpline service includes Cardiac Ambulance with Doctors onboard
• Provision of Advanced Life Support & Basic Life Support service
• Quick cardiac support in the shortest time possible
• Maharashtra’s first air ambulance evacuation support
• Spot loans upto Rs. 50,000/- provided by State Bank of India Heart Helpline Scheme payable in 6 months for patients admitted to Asian Heart Institute
• A bigger medical support framework through a network of associate hospitals across Mumbai
• Ambulance service to patients admitted to Govt. hospitals would be provided free of cost
For more details & information on the helpline please log on to www.hearthelpline.org
Please click here for pics of the Heart Helpline launch |
| |
| AWARD FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE |
 Award for Excellent Performance, given to Dr. Pradyot Kumar Rath - Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgeon for single handedly performing 6 bypass surgeries a day in the absence of Dr. Panda.
The attached pic shows Dr. Panda giving away the award to Dr. Rath. |
| |
| ASIAN HEART INSTITUTE - MEDICAL PARTNERS MUMBAI MARATHON |
 The Asian Heart Institute has been the medical partner of the Mumbai Marathon 2009 for the 6th year in a row. The Marathon was held this year on the 18th of Jan.
Mumbai Marathon being a part of the Greatest Race on Earth with Nairobi, Singapore and Honk Kong, it is one of the premier sporting events of the world.
As the medical partner AHI had MEDICAL STATIONS all across the route for any first aid that the participants might require in the race. At the start / finish were 2 base camps. In addition to the medical stations there were 9 ambulances stationed across the route in order to handle any emergencies that might crop up in the way. |
| |
| "BRAVEHEARTS" PARTICIPATING IN THE MUMBAI MARATHON |
 The Mumbai Marathon seemed to appear like carnival time in Goa - full of spirit and energy. What made it outstanding was the participation of the heart patients of the Asian Heart Institute - the "Bravehearts" of AHI. It was a time for them to show their spirits and enthusiasm on the roads of Mumbai.
Around 70 heart patients of AHI participated in the marathon. This number has increased from 30 in the first year 2004, increased to 50 in the year 2005 and to 70 this year!!!
Around 30 CABG (bypass) patients are participating in this 'Greatest Race on Earth'.
The participants undergo regular training for the marathon every Saturday. The training is conducted under the supervision of the Cardiac Rehabilitation team led by Dr. Aashish Contractor. The patients start their training session at around 8.15 a.m and goes on till 9.30 a.m. The patients have over the time developed tremendous stamina to carry on for the entire 7k stretch.
Please click here for Marathon 2009 pics |
| |
