Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, pioneers of kidney and liver transplants in western India - announced the launch of the ‘Heart transplant’ programme and division at their unit in Mumbai. The prestigious programme will be helmed by leading cardiac surgeon Dr. K R Balakrishnan who is a pioneer in the space of heart transplants in the country. In one of its kind collaborations, Jaslok Hospital will be partnering with MGM Hospital in Chennai to bring this prestigious program live. In the last five years, the city has seen a record 163 heart transplants according to public records.

 Speaking on the occasion Jitendra Haryan, CEO Jaslok Hospital said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our transplant services and offerings to include heart transplants as well. Dr. K R Balakrishnan is a well-known cardiac surgeon in the country, and we are happy to bring his services and expertise to our patients in Mumbai and the larger western region.”

 While the program will be led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, he will be supported by the prestigious cardiac surgeons and cardiologists’ team at Jaslok Hospital. The programme will provide outstanding quality and outcome, comprehensive support services, easily accessible care, the team consisting of transplant surgeons, critical care experts, infectious diseases consultants, specially trained support nursing & other paramedical staff for ICU and wards, liaison officers,  transplant coordinators, dedicated beds in ICU, cardiac rehab, and specialized post-op care.

 MGM Healthcare CEO, Harish Manian said, “MGM Healthcare Chennai is very happy to associate with Jaslok Hospital Mumbai to provide heart & lung transplant service under the leadership of Dr. K R Balakrishnan and team. The association with Jaslok is strategic, which will help knowledge sharing and on-site transplant support from the team of experts from MGM Healthcare Chennai. Dr. K R Balakrishnan and team will be having a dedicated Heart Failure Clinic to evaluate the patients. This association also strengthens our relationship with Jaslok Hospital and enhances our commitment to getting closer to our patients in Western India.”

As per recent estimates, heart disease is the number one cause of mortality and a silent epidemic among Indians. Data from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) indicates that around 90 people die because of heart attacks every day in the city. All the speakers at the event stressed the importance of organ donation to make any transplant programme successful and urged people to donate their organs.

The launch event was presided by dignitaries such as Dr. S K Mathur, President ZTCC, Dr. Suresh Rao, Cardiologist, MGM Hospital Chennai, Dr. A B Mehta, Director Cardiology Dr. Hemant Pathare, Additional Director of Heart & Lung transplant at Jaslok Hospital, along with others from the Jaslok Hospital team.