Seven children from Rwanda arrived here today under the Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s Heartline programme for heart surgeries. Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo, who received the seven children and two attendants at the Rotary House, and informed that the Indian doctors had offered to do free heart surgeries for 15 children when they visited Rwanda last year under the intercontinental medicare project.
Rajendra Saboo said that it makes one feel proud that India is able to serve beyond borders reaching out to these children in need with the medical help.
Rotary Club of Chandigarh launched the Rotary Heartline project in 1999 and till date has saved the lives of 442 children under the programme in association with its partner hospitals, PGIMER and the Fortis Hospital Mohali.
Out of these 442 patients, 67 have been from different countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Malawi, Africa, etc., he added.
Out of the 15 children, the first batch of seven arrived today at Rotary House, and range between the age of 2 to 21 years, namely 2 years old Bruno Mugisha, 10 year olds Jonathan Ntakirutimana and Yvette Iragena, 12 years old Jacques Turikumwe, Olivier Habinshuti (13), Gakuru Seminega Fulgece (16), and Joas Nshimiyimana (21).
Heshima Christophe is the escorting nurse, and Mutezintare Pierre Celestin is the attendant accompanying these children from Rwanda.
