On the occasion of World Heart Day, Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad, brought together around 50 children who had previously received free treatment for complex heart conditions through Sarvodaya Foundation’s CSR initiative, along with their parents. The gathering celebrated their journeys towards healthier lives and highlighted the importance of timely cardiac care in children.
For the children and families present, the occasion marked a journey that had begun with concerns about their child’s heart and eventually led them to specialised cardiac care. Through its CSR initiatives, Sarvodaya Foundation supports underprivileged children who require critical heart treatment, helping families access specialised care that may otherwise be difficult to afford.
Speaking about the importance of recognising heart conditions in children, Dr. Jay Relan, Senior Consultant – Paediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Disease, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, said, “Heart conditions in children do not always present with obvious symptoms. Parents should pay attention to signs such as rapid or difficult breathing, poor feeding or weight gain in infants, and unusual breathlessness, fatigue, fainting or difficulty keeping up with physical activity in older children. Persistent or unusual symptoms should be evaluated by a paediatrician or paediatric cardiologist.”
At Sarvodaya Hospital, paediatric cardiac care extends from diagnosis and evaluation to interventional and surgical treatment for a wide spectrum of congenital and structural heart conditions. Reflecting on these procedures, Dr. Anupam Das, Senior Consultant & Head – Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, said, “Children may require cardiac surgery for a range of conditions, from defects that cause a hole in the heart or abnormalities in the way the heart or its chambers are formed, to more complex congenital heart conditions. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include procedures such as ASD or VSD repair, Tetralogy of Fallot repair and other corrective surgeries. The approach is planned according to the child’s individual condition and clinical needs.”
The inclusion of World Heart Day-themed T-shirts, return gifts and a selfie zone added to the celebration— the participation of the children still remaining the central theme of the occasion.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Chairman, Sarvodaya Healthcare, said, “World Heart Day reminds us that timely access to cardiac care can make a lasting difference, particularly for children who require specialised treatment. Through Sarvodaya Foundation’s CSR initiatives, we are committed to supporting underprivileged children who require critical heart treatments. With more than 1,000 paediatric cardiac surgeries performed at Sarvodaya, this programme reflects our continued effort to combine clinical expertise with a broader commitment to making essential healthcare more accessible.”
