Key Highlights:
§ UNM Foundation and UNMICRC sign MOU to provide free heart transplants for needy patients.
§ Patients with advanced heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy and needing financial aid will benefit from this unique initiative: Every life matters. In line with this philosophy, the UNM Foundation (named after Shri UN Mehta, the Founder of Torrent Group) and the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre (UNMICRC), Ahmedabad have signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide financial assistance for heart transplants to needy patients.

Heart Transplant surgeries and the post-operative care required are expensive and generally out of bounds for underprivileged patients. This first of its kind collaboration in the country aims to alleviate the financial burden on underprivileged families facing the devastating challenge of advanced heart failure.

Under the terms of the MOU, UNM Foundation shall provide full financial assistance to UNMICRC for conducting heart transplants to needy patients for free. Patients suffering from advanced heart failure, unresponsive to guideline-directed medical therapy and those who lack the financial means to afford the necessary treatment will be eligible for this financial assistance. The UNM Foundation will cover the cost of the entire procedure – pre-operative evaluation, transport of donor heart (including by air ambulance where necessary), heart transplant surgery, post-operative hospitalization for nearly 3 weeks, post-operative use of medical devices and medication for 1 year following the Transplant.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chirag Doshi, Director of UNMICRC, stated that “This unique initiative by the UNM Foundation is a beacon of hope for countless families requiring a heart transplant but lacking the financial means for it. By providing comprehensive financial support, we are not only saving lives but also ensuring that the highest quality of medical care is accessible to those who need it the most.”

UNMICRC, a leader in cardiac care, has already performed 27 heart transplants till date. These include 4 instances where donor hearts were transported via chartered flights, underscoring the institute’s commitment to overcoming logistical challenges to save lives.

UNMICRC will announce the patient eligibility criteria. This initiative will be in effect from 1st June 2024 for an initial period of five years. The collaboration is expected to set a new standard in medical philanthropy and patient care, paving the way for future initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between advanced medical treatments and financial accessibility.