New Delhi: In a gesture of humanitarian outreach, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, the visionary Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals announced an initiative under which 100 underprivileged children would benefit from free cardiac surgeries. Only yesterday, Dr Reddy was conferred with Humanitarian Award, the highest honour of Lions Club International which puts Dr Reddy at par with late Mother Teresa who was also the recipient of this honour.
The initiative is part of the Lions Clubs International – Apollo Hospitals Partnership Program, under which Lions International would refer under-12 patients for evaluation to Apollo Hospitals. Apollo Hospitals would carry out free cardiac surgeries on 100 of the most critical cases. This is just the beginning. The MOU signed between Apollo and Lions Club International is a collaboration that promises huge philanthropy activities in time’s to come.
Dr Reddy himself is a cardiologist and it is only befitting that Apollo Hospitals is the pioneers in heart care. The group’s initiative of SACHI foundation has already helped over 5000 children with congenital heart defects. Apollo’s ‘Billion Hearts Beating’ campaign has been very popular and has created a lot of buzz for healthy heart. Its aim has been to spread awareness and spur action to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.
Apollo has run many other campaigns. They are: SAHI – a program which has till date accomplished a rare feat of 1000 cochlear implants, CURE which is centred around cancer care and rehab and Total Health which is working with different village communities encompassing healthcare that include prevention, education and primary health. Apollo has adopted 170 villages for his signature Total Health initiative.
