Speaking on the occasion, the President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Secretary General Elect of the IMA - Dr KK Aggarwal said, “Every year about 78,000 infants born with congenital heart disease in India die due to lack of medical care. Majority of these are girls because parents do not like to spend the enormous amount of Rs. 3 to 5 lakh towards the surgery of a girl child, which they would do so readily if it were their son suffering from the ailment. We at Heart Care Foundation of India believe that no person, irrespective of their gender deserves to die just because they can’t afford treatment. Towards this endeavor we have saved over 300 lives in the past 6 months through a key project, the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund. We are now extending this project to the young girls and women in Haryana with the generous support of Dr Trehan, Mr Khattar and Mr Vij and hope that together we can help reduce the gender inequality in the region and help save as many lives as possible”.
Adding to this, the Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta – The Medicity, Dr Naresh Trehan said, “There has been a sharp decline in the female population in Haryana over the years and it deeply saddens me to see that even in the 21st century, people think of girls as a liability and not an asset. I jumped at the opportunity of supporting Heart Care Foundation of India’s project, the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund when Dr Aggarwal approached me 6 months back. I strongly believe that equality is essential for our country to progress and hope that through this project we can help make a difference to Haryana’s daughters. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Manohar Lal Khattar and Mr Anil Vij for joining hands with us in this initiative.”
Congratulating the initiative, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Manohar Lal Khattar said, “I am very happy to know that the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund has already provided assistance to more than 300 patients, who required a heart surgery in association with Medanta – The Medicity. On behalf of the Government, I promise full support in whichever way we can to make this campaign a success.”
Applauding the cause, the Health Minister of Haryana, Mr Anil Vij said, “I congratulate this noble initiative by the Heart Care Foundation of India and Medanta – The Medicity and believe that it is extremely crucial to spread awareness about this cause and the need to end gender discrimination in the state. Every child deserves the right to live and I extend my best wishes and support towards this cause.” The helpline number +919958771177 for the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund is open from Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Individuals who wish to apply online can
download the application form from the website, An expert committee comprising of notable individuals would assess all applications received by the fund. Once sanctioned, the funds would be directly deposited in the bank account of the medical establishments treating the patient.
Also present on the occasion were Mr Vivek Kumar, Trustee Heart Care Foundation of India and Mr Vipin Malik from the Malik family.