The Hindu Business Line : Hrudaya Foundation targets 120 surgeries

HRUDAYA Foundation, set up by corporate leaders, doctors and other professionals, has set a target of 120 surgeries on children suffering heart problems, both congenital and acquired, in the first year.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr Gopichand Mannam, Managing Trustee of the foundation and Chief Cardio thoracic surgery at Care Hospitals, said the foundation could 25 surgeries so far.

"We have given dates for 10 children and another 63 are there in the waiting list. By March we would like to complete 60 surgeries and an equal number in the subsequent six months," he said.

The foundation could generate funds to the tune of Rs 1 crore in the US from a similar effort there. In India, the foundation raised Rs 25 lakh.

"Money is not a problem. We haven't yet approached corporates for funding," Mr M. Yugandhar, Managing Director of Karvy who is also on the trust, said.

"We have spread the word in the US, using forums like TANA (Telugu Association of North America) festivals. We will go to them once we utilised the funds we have already raised," he said.

The foundation had recently performed a surgery on the nine-year-old Deepika, who was suffering from a hole in her heart.

"We haven't charged anything from the family that has not been able to get her problem corrected due to financial problems. Also, the foundation supported its journey and stay at Hyderabad," Dr Gopichand said.

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