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.
History Of All India Heart Foundation
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 and 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 Foundations Research and clinical care delivery Programmes and was established in 1981.
