100 free open heart surgeries for the needy

Dubai, August 13, 2012: DM Foundation, the charitable arm of DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare conglomerate in the Middle East and India, has partnered with the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the largest expatiate mass organization outside Kerala, and MIMS Charitable Trust, the CSR vertical of Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Kerala, to sponsor 100 free open-heart surgeries for the needy during the year 2012-13. The initiative has been launched during the holy month of Ramadan with the aim to meet the medical needs of those who really need it and are unable to afford it. The surgeries will be performed at Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences Ltd (MIMS), the leading hospitals in Kerala at Calicut and Kottakkal Calicut, in Kerala, South India.

The initiative was announced recently by Padmashree Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder of DM Foundation and Chairman of MIMS, Shri.  Panakkad Syed Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal, Supreme Head of KMCC and State President of IUML (Indian Union Muslim League), other Office Bearers of KMCC and MIMS Directors.

The patients, who would be selected by KMCC for the treatment based on the condition of their health and affordability, will be sent to MIMS, for free heart surgery performed by the most experienced and qualified doctors, through the sponsorship arrangements initiated by KMCC, at a very subsidized rate offered by MIMS Charitable Trust.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Azad Moopen said, "We are very happy to be part of an initiative that would go into saving the lives of many. Through this initiative, we hope to offer our support to those who really need it and cannot afford the expense of the treatment. Our partnership in this cause is a small initiative from our part to extend care beyond boundaries."

He added, "We would like to encourage more people to come forward and be a part of this initiative. This is a wonderful initiative by the KMCC and MIMS, which has created the opportunity for many organizations and individuals to do charity by sponsoring the travel and stay of these patients."

"We would like to encourage young people who are the bread earners of the family to come forth for the sponsorship, as this initiative is not only to help the patient himself, but also bring renewed hope and support for their families," Dr. Moopen said. This initiative is also in line with MIMS's Bread Winner's Heart Surgery programme, being held in Kerala.

About DM Foundation:
DM Foundations (www.dmfoundation.net) and Charities is the broad umbrella under which the not-for-profit initiatives of DM Healthcare and Dr. Azad Moopen's family are carried out, through different vehicles - DM Foundation, Dr. Moopen's Family Foundation and Naseera and Moopen Foundation. DM Foundation is actively involved in Health Awareness Campaigns through the Community Good Health Programs (CGHP) in the Gulf Countries and India.

The main focus of DM Foundation however is charity and philanthropy. Some of the ongoing and planned not-for-profit activities of the DM Foundations and Charities are the establishment of Community Dialysis Centres, Cancer Radiation Centres, Early Cancer Detection Centres , Free Paediatric and Adult Cardiac Surgeries, managing a Special Needs Schools for the Physically and Mentally challenged. One of the cherished goals of the organization is to extend support to the North Indian states as well as to African countries where there is acute requirement for intervention in the delivery of healthcare to the poor.

Apart from healthcare related charitable activities, the organization provides financial support to many NGOs and individuals and is also involved in activities like Village Adoption programs for local empowerment (www.milesindia.org). The Foundation and Charities work in tandem with sister organizations like MIMS Charitable Trust (www.mimstrust.com) and Social Advancement Foundation of India (www.safiindia.org) where Dr Moopen is actively involved.

About KMCC:
Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the largest expatiate mass organization outside Kerala, is a registered organization in Dubai under Social Regulatory & Licensing (Community Development Authority), Government of Dubai and Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, Government of Dubai, having its registered office in Al  Sabhaka, Deira. The organization was established with the main Objective of providing relief and charity supports for Indian community, educational guidance and Scholarship support, consular service guidance, legal assistance, medical assistance and support, emergency cell for guidance, arts and sports, cultural program and voluntary guards.

About MIMS & MIMS Charitable Trust:
Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences is the first NBAH accredited multi-specialty tertiary care Hospital in India at Calicut. The 600 bed hospital is renowned for its excellent medical expertise, nursing care and quality of diagnostic services. The hospital has earned a very good recognition as a leader in providing world-class healthcare services to the common man at an affordable cost. The hospital is continuously in tune with the latest technology that promotes the healthcare and wellbeing of the patient.

MIMS Charitable Trust, the not-for-profit vertical of Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Kerala,works tirelessly to provide aid to bring convenient healthcare to the down trodden. With MIMS Charitable Trust, life threatening diseases are no more a death sentence to the poor. Patients in large numbers with a paucity of funds find relief with aid from MIMS Charitable Trust. MIMS Charitable Trust channels its donations from philanthropists and benefactors to mitigate the suffering of the poor who are sick - irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. For more information please visit www.mimscharitabletrust.com  / www.mimsindia.com

For more details, please contact:
Priyanka Geriya / Tasneem Raza
Watermelon PR
Tel: +971-4-2833655
Email: priyanka@watermelonme.com / tasneem@watermelonme.com

© Press Release 2012