An article from PDG Julie Mason, RC WyndhamWyndham Rotary members were deeply concerned to learn that in certain areas of India, children aged between seven months and eight years are unable to access heart surgery that could either save their lives or significantly improve their quality of life.
Wyndham Rotarian Rakesh Raizada travelled to India to contact the Rotary Club of Southend Delhi to see if a financial partnership could be developed with shared funds. A positive response enabled Wyndham Rotary to secure a Rotary Foundation International Grant to provide the funds required for ten children. Further support was provided from members of the Koshika Foundation who organised the surgeries through their partner hospitals, providing detailed proof of the completed surgeries. The patients are from various states of India, including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Rotarians participated in the project, including four from Rotary Southend Delhi, who were involved in screening of applications received by way of advertisements, referrals, and word-of-mouth, based the following criteria:
- Details of family background - number of family members, the profession of the child’s father & mother, annual income, whether living in own house.
- Identification of the patient/s through a photo of the patient, a photo of the family in front of the house they live in, and the patient’s birth certificate.
- Medical documents indicating clinical diagnosis & tests
- Estimated total cost of the procedure.
This project highlights the strength of working together and the benefits of The Rotary Foundation as we really …Do Good in the World.
Life saving surgery thanks to Rotary