HYDERABAD: Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar underscored the importance of awareness and early detection of congenital heart diseases in children, noting that early prevention could offer a hope for a healthier life to infants suffering from heart ailments.
He made these remarks during the inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Child Heart Care and Research Centre in Kondapaka, SIddipet district.
Gavaskar emphasised that one of the key goals of the trust behind this facility was to bring world-class healthcare to the remote areas of the country.
The newly inaugurated health facility will provide comprehensive care for paediatric heart conditions, offering everything from diagnostics to treatment, all free of cost.
“Everytime a child with a heart disease is treated in our facilities, I feel a new leash of life is given, not just to the child but to the parents as well. Being part of this cause brings me more joy and contentment than even scoring a double century,” Gavaskar said. “When you see the smiling faces of parents who feared for their child’s life, only to learn that their child can now lead a healthy life, it’s deeply fulfilling.”
Responding to a question from TNIE, Gavaskar also reflected on what he called the “third inning” of his life. He said that this phase, where he is involved in social causes, brings him far more satisfaction than his time as a cricketer, as he now has the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people.
C Sreenivas, Chairman of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals, spoke about the organisation’s mission to extend healthcare services to some of the most challenging and underserved geographical areas of India, particularly rural, tribal, and mining communities.