In India, various hospitals and organizations offer free heart surgeries to economically disadvantaged individuals through philanthropic initiatives, government schemes, and partnerships. These efforts address the pressing need for affordable cardiac care and ensure that life-saving treatments are accessible to all segments of society, regardless of financial constraints.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting is the most common heart surgery performed in India. The estimates range from 25,000 to 50,000 annually.
- Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stenting is another frequently performed procedure, estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 procedures per year.
- Congenital heart disease surgeries are also critical, with around 48,000 to 128,000 children born with CHD each year in India.
- Heart transplants are less common due to organ availability challenges, with only around 50-100 performed annually.
Certain NGOs partner with hospitals to provide free medical services to the underprivileged.
1. Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals
Address: Near Decathlon Sports, Chikkajala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562157
Established: 1970
Services:
- Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital is a chain of hospitals throughout India.
- They are dedicated to providing free paediatric cardiac care
- This is provided across all the locations in several states across India.
- All Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals offer a range of free services for children with congenital heart disease.
- Their core mission is to provide free heart surgery to all children, regardless of their caste, creed, religion, nationality or financial status.
The hospital provides the following services:
- Pre-surgical evaluation and investigations
- Post-operative care and follow-up
- Cardiac catheterization procedures
- Non-invasive cardiac intervention
- Rehabilitation services
2. Narayana Health
Address: 258/A, Hosur Road Anekal, Taluk, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560099
Established: 2000
Beds: 606
Doctors: 283
Services:
- It is a multi-speciality chain of hospitals
- The company was founded in 1996 by Dr. Devi Shetty and has since expanded to become one of the largest hospital chains in the country.
- They have over 30 hospitals and 2,000 beds across all of them.
- Narayana Health is known for its digital health initiatives
- They have implemented an electronic health record (EHR) system in all of their hospitals, which helps improve patient care and reduce medical errors.
- It offers extensive medical services, including cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, and general surgery.
- They include primary and emergency care and other speciality services.
- It is equipped with the latest technology
- Their facilities seek to provide exceptional medical care.
- They provide specialised services like Cardiac Rehabilitation, Homograft and Valve Banking, Clinical Research, Yoga Therapy & Counselling.
- Narayana Health hospitals do not offer completely free heart surgeries. But, they have various programs to make cardiac care more affordable for patients who may not be able to afford the full cost. They include the following programs:
- Narayana Seva: This program provides subsidised and sometimes free cardiac care to financially underprivileged patients.
- Arogya Raksha Yojana: This is a government-sponsored health insurance scheme offered in some states across India. Eligibility under this scheme can cover the cost of your heart surgery.
Many government hospitals across India offer free or highly subsidised healthcare services, including heart surgeries. Take a look at some eminent government hospitals offering free heart surgeries.
3. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi
Address: Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110029
Established: 1956
Beds: 2,478
Specialities:
- AIIMS is a premier medical institution in India with various branches across the country.
- They provide subsidised or free medical care to economically weaker sections of society.
- AIIMS Delhi is known for its comprehensive healthcare services, spanning various specialties and super-specialties.
- Operates specialised centres for Cardiology and Cardiothoracic services.
- They also offer neurosciences, cancer, ophthalmic sciences, dental education, and research services.
- Equipped with advanced medical technologies and facilities
- All emergency cardiology procedures at AIIMS are free of cost for patients in general wards.
- Emergency surgeries, including angioplasty, balloon angioplasty, opening of blocked heart valves and insertion of pacemakers, are all offered free of cost.
4. Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi
Address: Ring Road, Opposite AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
Established: 1942
Beds: 2,900
Specialities:
- Safdarjung Hospital offers a wide range of medical services across various specialities.
- These include Anatomy, Anesthesiology, ART for HIV & AIDS treatment, Biochemistry, Blood Bank and transfusion and Pathology, Burns and Plastic, Cardiac Surgery etc.
- Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi offers subsidised heart surgery for many patients.
- But sometimes, it may not be entirely free surgery,
- The hospital offers subsidised heart surgery to patients who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being below a specific income threshold or belonging to a disadvantaged group.
- Safdarjung Hospital has a dedicated Department of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery that is equipped to handle a wide range of heart conditions.
- These include Coronary artery disease, Valvular heart disease, Congenital heart defects, Heart rhythm disorders, Heart failure and Aortic aneurysm.
- The hospital performs various advanced cardiac procedures, including bypass surgery, angioplasty, stent placement, valve replacements, and minimally invasive surgeries.
- The department boasts a team of highly qualified and experienced cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.
- Patients can also avail of benefits from various government-sponsored health schemes. They include:
- Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers subsidised costs.
- Central Govt. Health Scheme (CGHS) to cover part of the surgery costs.
5. King George Medical University (KGMU)
Address: 113/143, Shah Mina Rd, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 22600
Established: 1905
Beds: 4500
Services:
- Offers services like Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Rheumatology, Geriatric Mental Health, Surgical Oncology, Chest Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Anaesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Urology and Community Medicine.
- Dedicated Inpatient and Outpatients Department
- They have a new Surgical Emergencies and Trauma Centre
- Offers round the clock emergency, X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT & Interventional radiology services. X-ray and Ultrasound facilities are also provided through portable units.
- They also plan to introduce PDCC, Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology departments.
- King George's Medical University (KGMU), offers subsidised heart surgeries for eligible patients but doesn't have completely free heart surgery programs.
- Their Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) boasts a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors specialising in various cardiac procedures.
- They include Coronary artery bypass grafting, Valve replacements, Valve closure, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, Vascular surgeries and thoracic surgeries.
- The department has modern facilities and technology to handle complex cardiac cases.
- In 2023, KGMU pioneered a new technology for advanced cardiac care, the Orbital Atherectomy technology. This is a cost effective technology that removes calcium deposits from coronary arteries and can even prevent open heart surgery.
- KGMU offers subsidised heart surgeries to patients meeting specific eligibility criteria, such as:
- Belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category
- Having valid documents proving financial hardship
- Patients can also benefit from government-sponsored health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) to cover part of the surgery costs.
6. Osmania General Hospital
Address:15-5-104, Begum Bazar, Afzal Gunj, Hyderabad, Telangana 500012
Established: 1910
Beds: 1,168
Doctors: 250
Specialties:
- Osmania General Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in India
- It is also one of the oldest medical educational institutes in the world
- It offers comprehensive services in Cardiology, Dentistry, Diabetology, ENT General Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, and Urology.
- It is the 1st hospital in Hyderabad to have a blood bank, casualty ward, radiodiagnosis department and cardiothoracic surgery department.
- While the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) in Hyderabad offers a wide range of medical services, they do not offer completely free heart surgery.
- However, they have some initiatives and programs that make cardiac care more affordable for patients who may not be able to afford the full cost.
- There are free procedures offered for Angiography and stent implantation
- They conduct at least 450 angiograms and implant 150-160 stents every month for free to poor patients suffering from heart blockages.
- They have programs in place to offer subsidised heart surgery to financially underprivileged patients.
- They offer subsidised surgeries for eligible individuals.
- Patients can also potentially avail of benefits from various government-sponsored health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) to cover part of the surgery costs.
Several religious organisations run hospitals that provide free or low-cost healthcare services.
7. Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
Address: Ida Scudder Rd, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
Established: 1900
Beds: 3,300 +
Specialties:
- CMC Vellore is a prominent multi-specialty hospital
- It is known for its commitment to providing compassionate and affordable healthcare.
- It offers a vast range of medical and surgical services,
- It is a tertiary care hospital offering holistic healing
- It offers services like Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Oncology, Hematology, Neurology, Psychiatry and Dermatology.
- While they don't offer free heart surgery, they have established various programs and initiatives to make cardiac care accessible and affordable for underprivileged patients.
- They have various Financial Assistance Programs. This involves schemes like:
- Person-to-Person Fund: This program relies on donations from individuals and organisations to support patients who cannot afford treatment. You can contribute directly or raise funds through campaigns and events. An example of this is the Friends of Vellore scheme
- Person to-Person Fund, Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Based on a patient's financial situation, CMC offers varying degrees of subsidies on treatment costs, including surgery.
- CMC collaborates with government-sponsored health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) to cover treatment costs for eligible patients.
- Specific Cardiac Care Initiatives: They offer Free Pediatric Heart Surgeries through partnerships and donations. Also, schemes like CMC's "Little Hearts" program provide free heart surgeries for children from economically disadvantaged families.
- Cardiac Camps: CMC organises outreach camps in rural areas to offer free consultations and diagnostics. It also offers surgeries for heart patients who wouldn't otherwise have access to such care.
8. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center (AIMS), Kochi
Address: Ponekkara Rd, P. O, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala 682041, India.
Established: 1998
Beds: 1350
Doctors: 600+
Services:
- AIMS is part of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University)
- It offers comprehensive medical services and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Recognized for its excellence in various medical specialities, including cardiology
- It provides a wide range of cardiac services, including bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve replacements, electrophysiology studies and more.
- The Amrita Mitran Charitable Trust provides financial assistance to underprivileged patients for various treatments, including heart surgery.
9. Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi
Address: Delhi Mathura Road, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, India
Established: 1995
Beds: 695
Specialties:
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is renowned for its advanced medical technologies
- Recognized for its pioneering efforts in various medical fields
- Known for its clinical excellence and modern technology,
- It offers services in Cardiology, Anaesthesiology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics
- Equipped with Heart Institutes, Institutes of Cancer, Institutes of Neurosciences, Institutes of Orthopedics, Institutes of Robotic Surgery and Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
- Offers bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve replacements
- Financial Assistance: The Apollo Reach program provides subsidised healthcare services to underprivileged patients
- Patients can also avail of the Arogya Raksha Yojana (government-sponsored health insurance)
- They also have specialised services like Apollo Telemedicine. This service allows patients in remote areas to consult with Apollo cardiologists remotely.
- They also offer Community Outreach Programs. They periodically organise camps and initiatives to offer free consultations, diagnostics, and even subsidised surgeries in underprivileged communities.
10. Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
Address: Sector - 44, Opposite HUDA City Centre, Sector 44, Gurugram, Haryana 122002, India
Year established: 2013
Beds: 299
Services:
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) is part of the Fortis Healthcare network.
- Renowned for its expertise in medical research and patient care.
- It offers a wide range of medical services, including cardiology, neurology, oncology and orthopaedics.
- It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
- They offer cardiac services like bypass surgery, angioplasty, and valve replacements.
- The Fortis Foundation provides financial assistance to underprivileged patients for various treatments.
- They include the Arogya Raksha Yojana (government-sponsored health insurance).
11. Max Super Speciality Hospitals, Delhi
Address: 1 2, Press Enclave Marg, Saket Institutional Area, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Established: 2000
Beds: 490+
Services:
- It is a premier multi-speciality hospital
- It offers specialities like Cardiac, Orthopaedics, Urology, Neurosciences, Gastro Sciences, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Oncology, Kidney and Liver Transplant, and Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery.
- Offers services like angioplasty, valve replacements, etc
- Max Cares Foundation provides financial assistance to underprivileged patients for various treatments, including heart surgery.
- Patients can also avail the Arogya Raksha Yojana (government-sponsored health insurance scheme)
12. Manipal Hospitals
Address: Survey No. 10P & 12P, Whitefield Main Rd, Varthur Kodi, Palm Meadows, Ramagondanahalli, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066
Established: 2012
Beds: 200+
Services:
- It offers services like Cardiac Sciences, Cancer Care, Dental Sciences, Diabetes & Endocrinology, ENT, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics etc
- It has dedicated 20 modular state-of-the-art operation theatres
- Manipal Hospitals Charitable Trust, provides financial assistance to eligible patients for various treatments, including heart surgery.
- Manipal Hospitals partners with Arogya Raksha Yojana (ABY), which covers part of the surgery costs.
- Subsidised surgeries are offered to those below the poverty line
Apart from this, there are also certain State-Specific Initiatives. Some state governments have launched specific healthcare schemes to provide free medical services to their residents. For example, in Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) offers free treatment for heart surgeries and other medical conditions.
Let’s get some insight into what types of heart surgeries are available for free
The types of heart surgeries that are available for free may vary depending on the healthcare facility and its resources. Common procedures include:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Valve repair
- Valve replacement
- Congenital heart defects
- Angioplasty
- Pacemaker
FAQs
Who is eligible for free heart surgeries in India?
Free heart surgeries in India are often provided to economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly those who cannot afford the cost of treatment. Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the hospital or organisation offering the services, but generally, priority is given to patients from low-income families with documented financial need.
Is there a waiting list for free heart surgeries?
Due to the high demand and limited resources, there is a waiting list for free heart surgeries in India. The waiting list length can vary depending on factors such as the availability of surgical teams, funding, and the severity of patients' conditions.
Are there any age restrictions for free heart surgeries?
Age restrictions for free heart surgeries may vary depending on the healthcare facility and the specific procedure needed. While some hospitals may prioritise children with congenital heart defects or young adults, others may provide services to patients of all ages.
Are there any hidden costs associated with free heart surgeries?
While the heart surgery itself may be free of charge, additional costs may be associated with pre-operative tests, hospital stays, medications, and follow-up care.
Can I choose the hospital and surgeon for my free heart surgery?
In some cases, patients may have the option to choose the hospital and surgeon for their free heart surgery, while in others, they may be assigned to a specific facility based on availability and resources.
What support services are available for patients undergoing free heart surgeries?
Many hospitals and charitable organisations offering free heart surgeries provide support services such as counselling, financial assistance for travel and accommodation, rehabilitation programs and ongoing medical care.
References:
https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases
