Congenital Heart Defects kill more children each year than all childhood cancers combined. In the light of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital For Children organized a 3 KM Little Hearts walkathon with more than 40 doctors from NCPA, Nariman Point to Mafatlal Club, Chowpatty by following Covid protocol. The walkathon was flagged off by Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and sent across the message of caring for little hearts.
1 in 100 children are born with congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are present by birth itself and tends to impact the structure of the baby’s heart and the way it functions. CHDs are the most common types of birth defects and can be mild such as a small hole in the heart to severe like missing or poorly formed parts of the heart. Around 1,000 foetal echocardiographies performed in Wadia Hospital on a yearly basis, and almost 50% have abnormalities. 83 cases with defected were reported in 2015-16 while 175 in 2016-17. The number doubled in 2017-18 when the number was 375. In 2018-19, 617 cases were seen, and in 2019-20, 600. Many children lose their life owing to delayed treatment. Wadia Hospital has taken this initiative to protect hearts.
Dr Minnie Bodhanwala,CEO, Wadia Hospitals, said, “Doctors walked with placards having messages to support CHD in children. CHD is more common than we think, many are completely treatable and we can give back normal children to society. Till now, Wadia Hospital has performed over 3,000 surgeries due to advanced medical care and treatment to help babies with CHDs live longer and healthier lives. Awareness amongst people is what we try to achieve by conducting such events and educate people about screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. Wadia Hospital is committed to provide better accessibility to children with CHDs and deliver superior clinical outcomes.”
“This is an incredible initiative taken by Wadia Hospital. I am happy to grace the occasion and be a part of this event. Wadia Hospital has always been at the forefront in providing affordable treatment and care to the patients. The hospital offers comprehensive services under one roof with highly experienced doctors and a well-trained team of nurses, technicians, and other support staff,” concluded Honorable Mumbai Mayor Shmt Kishori Pednekar.
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