HVFI, Fortis Escorts launch Rs 50 lakh cardiac care initiative for Assam patients

Guwahati: In a major boost to cardiac care in the Northeast, the Heart Valve Foundation of India (HVFI) - a charitable organization led by Managing Trustee Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh to provide advanced cardiac treatment at Fortis Escorts Okhla, New Delhi - completely free of cost, to eligible patients referred by the Assam government.

The announcement, which came at a Press conference today, also marks the launch of comprehensive initiatives by Heart Valve Foundation of India and Fortis Escorts Heart Institute to strengthen cardiac care infrastructure in Assam and deepen specialist medical engagement across Northeast.

Beyond the Rs 50 lakh grant, the multi-layered healthcare initiative introduces several key programs designed to create a sustainable roadmap for cardiac care in the state. For financially strained patients from Assam who require complex operations at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, treatment will be offered at Assam government rates, subject to clinical assessment.


In a bid to upgrade local medical expertise, specialized training sessions will be held by Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute; Dr. Aparna Jaswal, Director, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute; Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan, Director - Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, for doctors and medical students at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).

The initiative arrives at a critical time, as cardiovascular diseases continue to pose both a severe health burden and a crushing financial strain on families in the region. The National Statistics Office’s health survey highlights that the average medical expenditure for a single cardiovascular hospitalization can climb to Rs 69,451 in urban India and frequently reaches Rs 101,099 when treated at urban private hospitals, amounts that are devastatingly out of reach for socio-economically disadvantaged families.

Ashok Singhal, Hon’ble Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research Departments said, "This is a laudable initiative by Fortis Escorts, Okhla and Heart Valve Foundation of India that perfectly complements our state's vision. By combining a dedicated Rs 50 lakh treatment grant with specialized clinical training at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, we are not just providing immediate financial relief to needy families; we are sustainably strengthening the entire ecosystem of cardiac care within Assam."

Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman - Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Managing Trustee - Heart Valve Foundation of India, said, “For patients with complex cardiac conditions, access is often determined not only by the availability of medical expertise but also whether the family can afford the treatment. While HVFI seeks to ease the financial barrier that often delays or denies access to advanced treatment, FEHI brings the clinical depth, technology, and institutional infrastructure needed to manage complex cardiac conditions. Through this committed grant, HVFI and FEHI aim to help patients with socio-economic constraints from Assam receive advanced care without the cost becoming an insurmountable barrier."

Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan, Director- Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said, "Managing complex cardiac cases requires precise surgical expertise, high-end technology, and robust post-operative care infrastructure. Through this partnership, we are ensuring that patients have a direct pathway to advanced, life-saving surgical interventions that might be otherwise delayed due to cost. Simultaneously, our scientific sessions at GMCH aim to foster closer clinical coordination and knowledge exchange with our peers in Assam, creating a seamless continuum of care from the first diagnosis to final surgical recovery."

Dr. Aparna Jaswal, Director, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said, "Advanced cardiac care does not begin in the procedure room alone. It begins with early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely referral. Through sustained knowledge-sharing with doctors and medical students in Assam, we hope to strengthen this continuum of care so that patients with complex cardiac conditions can be identified early and guided towards the most appropriate treatment without avoidable delay.