Hundreds attend heart check-up camp in city organized in Ahmedabad by Sri Satya Sai Heart Hospital, Rajkot

September 28, 2009

TNN 28 September 2009, 05:01am IST

AHMEDABAD: Prabhat Suthar, 50, a farmer from Chanasma in Kheda district, has had heart ailments for last 10 years. Suthar was one among many who came for free heart check-up at the camp organized in Ahmedabad by Sri Satya Sai Heart Hospital, Rajkot on Sunday.

"My weak heart condition has badly affected my work. I cannot afford the high cost involved in the treatment. I have come here with great hope. Cardiac experts have been checking patients continuously."

More than 700 heart patients attended the camp organized to mark World Heart Day. Patients from two to 60 years of age came from Sanand, Viramgam, Dhandhuka and Ahmedabad for the check-up.

Jagdish Parmar from Dhandhuka came with his two-year-old son, Jaymen, who is diagnosed with a heart ailment. Parmar said, "I cannot pay for the expensive medical treatment. I heard about this camp and came directly to get my son checked."

On the number of patients, joint managing trustee of the hospital Manoj Bhimani said, "More than 54 patients have been selected who require immediate heart surgery. These patients come from poor sections of society and cannot afford the costly treatment."

"Also, 187 patients have been referred to us by the state government. Through this camp, we are also spreading awareness about heart diseases. Last year, the hospital had conducted 768 operations free of charge. This year we have targeted 1,000 operations," Bhimani added.

City-based cardiac surgeon Dr Varsha Shah who volunteered to participate in the camp, said, "The patients are filtered at primary level to check the seriousness of their ailments. Most of them are suffering from coronary, congenital and valvular heart diseases."

The hospital authorities have plans to reach the remotest parts of Gujarat in next two years.

sourced:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/ahmedabad/TNNHeartchkdocCNMUST-USEPICS-OF-THE-CAMP-IN-PICSTOI/articleshow/5063230.cms

Aum Sri Sai Ram

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