About Us
"Save Heart Save Life"
A Campaign Keeping Heart Healthy.....
The loftiest Human Duty is to serve the Mankind. Out of all creatures of God, it is only human being, who can bestow comfort, ease and peace to all leaving creatures through his thoughts, acts and knowledge. In human body, the most crucial organ is heart, which is also believed to be the seat of Soul. When Soul departs, the body perishes. To nurture the body, the heart pumps 5 to 6 liters of blood every minute and beats more than 100,000 times relentlessly every day. This valuable organ must be looked after in order to lead a healthy life.
Heart disease respects no boundaries, no geographical limitations. It occurs in every nation of the world, in both sexes, in all races and in every stratum of society. It is one of the most formidable and challenging health problems in India. Till now it was considered as to be a problem of the developed world in older age group but developing countries too are not spared from affliction of the heart disease, and happens in much younger age group of population in India. With adaptation of western lifestyle, weakening of our traditional bond and culture and increasing average age of the population, the incidence of heart disease in India has increased manifold.
Realizing a great need to create awareness in the society regarding the healthy heart, “Save Heart Save Life”, a campaign was launched in 1996 while working at State Premier Medical Institute, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences as Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery and Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon. Several philanthropic activities, such as free heart check up camps at various district headquarters were held and continuing medical education in the field of latest development in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery to local physicians were started, which were almost nonexistent before 1989.
As a modest beginning in order to promote Save Heart Save Life” campaign for a healthy heart in the society, Divine Heart Foundation (India), a Charitable Institution under Society Registration Act 1860, was established and was inaugurated by then the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sri Romesh Bhandar on December 1st, 1996. The aims and objectives of Foundation is to create awareness regarding healthy heart in the society and to establish a hospital to provide cost effective treatment to the patients suffering from heart and related organs ailments in India and abroad. Divine Heart Foundation (India) has been exempted from Income Tax 1961 under section 80G.
The Heart Disease Challenges
Heart disease respects knows no boundaries; it affects people in every nation, gender, race, and social class. It is one of the most serious health problems in our country. Once considered a problem of the developed world and older populations, heart disease now affects developing countries, including India, and occurs in much younger age groups. The adoption of a western lifestyle, weakening traditional bonds and culture, and an increasing average age of the population have significantly increased the incidence of heart disease in India.
Heart Disease in India
In India, over 60 million people suffer from heart disease, making it a major public health issue. The pattern of heart disease varies by age:
- Coronary Artery Disease: More than 60% of the population aged 40 to 65 develop coronary artery disease, where cholesterol narrows the blood vessels supplying the heart, causing chest pain (angina). If untreated, this can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which is fatal in 25% of cases.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease: Affects individuals between 15 to 25 years, especially females, due to rheumatic fever following recurrent sore throat infections. This disease causes joint pain and swelling, and heart valve damage.
- Congenital Heart Disease: About 20% of heart disease cases are present at birth, where babies are born with heart defects, such as holes in the heart or “blue baby” syndrome.
Patients with rheumatic and congenital heart disease often come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and require expensive surgeries to survive.
Foundation History
Training and Inspiration
While serving at the State Premier Medical Institute at SGPGIMS, Prof. (Dr.) A K Srivastava went to Papworth Hospital at Cambridge University, UK, in 1996 for heart transplantation training. Inspired by the British Heart Foundation, Dr. Srivastava envisioned creating a similar foundation in India to raise awareness about healthy heart.
Establishment of Divine Heart Foundation (India)
Upon returning to India, Dr. Srivastava founded the Divine Heart Foundation (India), a registered charitable institution under the Society Act. It was inaugurated on December 1, 1996, by then the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sri Romesh Bhandari. The Foundation’s mission is to provide heart care, education, and research facilities to the society.
Early Initiatives
The Foundation used to hold free heart check-up camps at various district headquarters and provided continuing medical education to local physicians on the latest developments in cardiology and cardiac surgery, which was almost non existent before 1989.
Expansion and Development
New Vision
Despite technological advances and better understanding of heart diseases, Dr. Srivastava was perturbed by the increasing incidence of heart disease in younger individual, particularly from middle and lower socioeconomic background. He resigned from his position as Professor & Head of The Department of Cardiac Surgery at SGPGIMS in April 2002 & dedicated himself to pursue the aims & objectives of Divine Heart Foundation regarding creating awareness in the society about healthy heart as a campaign called “Save Heart Save Life”
Establishment of Divine Heart Hospital
Recognizing the need for a dedicated hospital, the Foundation initially established a 25-bed heart hospital in a rented premise in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow & was inaugurated on March 9, 2003, by the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sri Vishnu Kant Shastri.
Building a World-Class Facilities
Due to high demand and public support, the Foundation acquired over two acres of land in Viraj Khand Institutional Area, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow & built a new 100-bed heart hospital with excellent infrastructure and modern facilities for managing all kinds of heart ailments. Divine Heart Hospital was inaugurated on March 3, 2006, by the then President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam & the ceremony was presided over by the former Prime Minister of India, Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was also an Honorable Member of Parliament from Lucknow.
Technological Advancements
The hospital boasts state-of-the-art technology, including advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. The cardiac care unit is equipped with modern ICU facilities, catheterization labs, and modular operation theaters designed to handle complex cardiac surgeries and interventions.
Comprehensive Cardiac Care
The hospital offers a wide range of services, from preventive cardiology & interventional to advanced Cardiac Surgical procedures. Services include:
- Diagnostic Services: Comprehensive diagnostic services including ECG, echocardiography, stress testing, and advanced imaging techniques.
- Preventive Cardiology: Programs to educate and screen individuals to detect early signs of heart disease and promote a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Interventional Cardiology: Procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, and catheter-based treatments, pacemaker implantation.
- Cardiac Surgery: Advanced surgical interventions including bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement, and congenital defect corrections.
- Rehabilitation Programs: Post-treatment rehabilitation programs to help patients recover and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Community Outreach and Education
The Divine Heart Foundation actively engages in community outreach programs to educate the public about the healthy heart. These initiatives include:
- Health Camps: Regular health camps offering free check-up, consultations, and health education.
- Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns through various media to spread knowledge about heart disease prevention and treatment.
- Training Programs: Continuing medical education programs for healthcare professionals to update them on the latest advancements in cardiology & cardiac surgery.
Achievements and Recognition
Over the years, the Divine Heart Foundation (India) has received numerous accolades for its contributions to cardiac care and community services. The hospital’s commitment to provide excellence and compassionate care, have earned a reputation as a leading cardiac center in the northern part of India & its neighboring country.
Research and Innovation
The Foundation is committed to provide advances in the field of cardiology & cardiac surgery through research and innovation. Collaborative research projects with National and International Institutions will help to develop new mode of treatment and improve their by outcomes.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, the Divine Heart Foundation (India) aims to expand its services and reach even more people in need. Plans include:
- Expansion of Facilities: Increasing the number of beds and adding new departments to cater to a growing patient population.
- Telemedicine Services: Implementing telemedicine services to reach remote areas and provide consultations and follow-ups.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: Establishing partnerships with other healthcare organizations to enhance service delivery and share knowledge.
Conclusion
The Divine Heart Foundation (India), under the visionary leadership of Dr. A K Srivastava, has grown from a humble beginning to a premier cardiac care institution. Through its hospitals, community outreach, and educational programs, the Foundation continues to serve humanity, staying true to its mission of “Save Heart and Save Life.” With ongoing support from the community and dedication to its goals, the Divine Heart Foundation is poised to make even greater strides in the fight against heart disease.