Paediatric interventions stand as cornerstones for ensuring the future of our society. Healthy children not only form the bedrock of a thriving community but also represent the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Early interventions, ranging from routine check-ups to preventive care and specialized treatments, are imperative for nurturing the physical, mental, and emotional health of our youngest generation. Investing in the health of children is a transformative act, alleviating immediate suffering and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more prosperous, and compassionate world.

Early identification and proactive management of congenital defects and issues are crucial in ensuring better health and well-being of children, thereby shaping a more robust and flourishing future society.

Hearing impairment, especially congenital or early in life hearing impairment can be a silent but formidable barrier to a fulfilling life. Globally, 34 million children grapple with deafness or hearing loss. In India, four out of every thousand children contend with severe to profound hearing loss, affecting over 100,000 newborns yearly. Without special efforts to ensure development of language in the children at the right point in time, the mental and emotional toll is profound, fostering loneliness, isolation, depression, and anxiety. Such challenges persist into adulthood, with higher rates of joblessness among individuals with hearing impairment compared to their hearing counterparts.

Cochlear implants are a revolutionary beacon of hope for children and their families but pose a financial hurdle, especially for marginalized communities. The Hans Foundation (THF) Cochlear Implant (CI) Program, initiated in December 2013, has been a transformative force. Having impacted over 1200 children, THF not only covers the financial aspects but also supports families with Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) post-surgery. Collaborating with leading hospitals like Apollo, Manipal, CK Birla, KIMS, and Sir HN Reliance, THF pioneers a new era in cochlear implantation, addressing the critical medical needs of underprivileged children.

The journey is not without its challenges, and The Hans Foundation acknowledges the need for continuous adaptation and expansion.  As the programs evolve, the vision remains clear: to broaden the reach, extending a helping hand to children with hearing impairments from every corner of India. But there is a need to reach out to more children across geographies and increase the impact through more collaborations and partnerships.

Shifting our focus to another critical concern that demands our attention, we confront a sobering reality – congenital heart disease (CHD) holds the grim distinction of being the primary cause of birth defect-related deaths globally, contributing to a significant 10% of infant mortality in India. Time is of the essence in these cases because any delay can be fatal for the little ones. In some cases, the child needs to be operated on within the first few hours or days of his/her life. Early diagnosis and timely management are thus the most crucial aspects of this treatment. The financial burden of surgeries for underprivileged families exacerbates this crisis.

The Hans Foundation responded with the ‘Little Hearts Program’ in 2013, collaborating with eminent hospitals to provide a lifeline for children with CHD. The program, supporting 873 surgeries in FY2023, emphasizes early diagnosis and post-surgery monitoring. The organization envisions scaling the program with new partnerships in the coming year. The meticulous post-surgery monitoring, including nutritional support for the crucial six months after surgery, reflects a comprehensive approach that extends beyond medical interventions.

In the broader scope of disability advocacy, The Hans Foundation stands not only as a financial supporter but also as a catalyst for societal change. Focusing on hearing impairment and congenital heart diseases underscores the need for targeted solutions within the larger framework of disabilities. These initiatives create ripples that extend far beyond medical treatment, permeating societal norms and fostering inclusivity. Partnerships play a crucial role in extending assistance to those in need. Each hospital plays a vital role in contributing its services to pave the way for a brighter future for individuals grappling with disabilities.

As THF celebrates ten years of impactful service delivery under Cochlear Implant and Little Hearts Program, to extend the program, the organization is inviting and seeking applications from hospitals that perform cochlear implant and congenital heart surgery across India. With this collaborative effort to support the children, The Hans Foundation will be financially aiding the surgeries.

Interested hospitals can send a “Letter of Intent” along with the “profile of the hospital” and the “details of the point person” to cochlear@thfmail.com with the subject line “Cochlear Implant Program” and to lhp@thfmail.com with the subject line “Little Hearts Program”.