The Rotary Club of Bombay Airport funded paediatric heart surgeries at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, over the past five years has transformed hundreds of young lives.
The club funded total of 619 surgeries under the initiative, part of the ‘Gift of Life’ project.
Through the initiative the club managed to raise Rs 10 crore to provide life-saving procedures for underprivileged children suffering from congenital heart defects.
PP Nitin Mehta, Chairman of the Gift of Life project, emphasized the mission behind the initiative: “Every child deserves a healthy heart and a chance to live their dreams. It breaks my heart to know that so many children in our country suffer simply because their families can’t afford life-saving surgery. Through the ‘Gift of Life’ project, we are trying to change that. When I see a child smile after surgery, I know we’ve given them more than just medical care—we’ve given them a future. This isn’t charity; it’s humanity.”
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar visited the hospital to celebrate this milestone, meeting the children and their families. He said, “Meeting these brave children was truly moving. Their courage, and the selfless work being done by the hospital and Rotary Club, is inspirational. These are the real heroes.”
The dignitaries present explained that paediatric cardiac surgery addresses conditions such as holes in the heart, valve problems, and abnormal blood vessels. It was explained that if left untreated, these defects can cause serious complications, including breathlessness, stunted growth, repeated infections, and even early death.
Dr. Prabhatha Rashmi, Senior Consultant and Head of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, highlighted the medical significance of early intervention: “Babies born with heart defects often appear weak, struggle to breathe, feed poorly, or turn bluish due to lack of oxygen. These conditions, known as congenital heart defects, can be life-threatening if not treated in time. Some babies may need surgery within weeks or months of birth. Early diagnosis plays a vital role, and timely treatment not only prevents complications but gives the child a chance to grow up healthy and active, just like any other child. Delaying surgery can lead to heart failure, poor development, and even death.”
Each year, over 200,000 children are born in India with congenital heart defects, with around 70,000 requiring surgery within their first year. Unfortunately, many children were informed to be not having timely access due to financial hardship or lack of awareness.
