The All India Heart Foundation (AIHF) can proudly claim to be one of the first societies of its kind to be founded in Asia. It was formed by a group of physicians (led by Dr. S. Padmavati) and industrialists (Late Mr.Ashok Jain of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd) at the inspiration of the doyen of modern cardiology, the late Dr. Paul Dudley White and registered as a charitable society in 1962. Its membership is open not only to specialists in cardiology but also to all doctors and laymen.

The National Heart Institute (NHI) is an integral part of the Foundation's Research and clinical care delivery Programmes and was established in 1981.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

The affairs of the Foundation are managed by a Board of Directors who collectively form the Governing Body. The members are eminent doctors, legal experts, philanthropists, scientists, bureaucrats, auditors, financial analysts and administrators of high standing. In keeping with its all-India character, it has branches in other parts of the country.

OBJECTIVES/FUNCTIONS OF THE FOUNDATION

The main objectives of the Foundation are scientific research in the area of cardiology in all of its various aspects, stimulation and development of heart care through public health education, training of doctors and paramedical personnel, improving diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, development of national educational programmes to control all types of heart diseases and treatment of heart patients. Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), the most important cause of heart disease in children and young adults, have been the subject of study since 1966. A model registry for RF/RHD has been created and maintained for follow-up since 1977.

PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

The AIHF has carried on public health activities since its inception. It publishes its own Newsletter, HEART NEWS since 1962 without break. This bi-monthly bulletin is sent free to all its members. Blood pressure is but one cardiovascular risk factor; the others, obesity, smoking , high blood lipids, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress etc. are equally important. The Foundation has been regularly featuring articles on these aspects in its bulletins. The organization has also brought out several brochures relating to heart diseases for the use of laymen. A book on "Heart Disease and the Layman" by Dr. S. Padmavati was published in English by the National Book Trust of India in its popular science series and translated into Tamil, Hindi, Urdu, Gurmukhi and Marathi. Lectures, radio talks and television programmes on many aspects of heart disease are given by the directors and other senior members of the Foundation throughout the year in English and regional languages in Delhi and elsewhere.

COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The AIHF is the only Heart Foundation in India affiliated to the World Heart Federation, which is an international body for coordinating Heart Societies and Foundations throughout the world. It has thus links with other national heart foundations throughout the world for exchange of information and knowledge so that it could be disseminatied for the benefit of professionals and laity, alike, in the country . It is recognized as a Collaborative Centre of WHO in Preventive Cardiology since 1980, the only one in the SEARO region. It is a member of the World Hypertension League and Heart Beat International.

ADVISORY ROLE

The Foundation has become highly credible and respected body promoting and facilitating research in cardiovascular diseases. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, consults the Foundation in formulating health policies and approach strategies for the Five Year Plans and related matters. The ICMR associates it in its research projects, appraisal of projects for research and evaluation of results of approved projects.

RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT

The Ministry of Science & Technology (Department of Scientific & Industrial Research), Government of India has recognized the Foundation as a scientific research organization. The National Board of Examinations, New Delhi has recognised the National Heart Institute for training of candidates for the specialities of cardiology and cardiac surgery for the award of DNBE degree. The Government of India (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), Ministry of Defence, the Government of NCT of Delhi and other state goverments like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram etc and over a 100 Public Sector Undertakings have recognised the NHI as a referral hospital for specialized treatment, viz. angiography, angioplasty coronary artery bypass surgery and other open heart surgeries. Many international and Public Sector Organisations such as UNDP, WHO, SAIL, ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, BEL and IDPL are empanelled with it for treatment.