Mohali, May 7, 2026: The Rotary Club of Chandigarh, in partnership with Fortis Hospital, Mohali marked the successful completion of 800^th heart surgery under its flagship Rotary Heartline Project. The milestone surgery was performed on 7-year-old child, Abhijot from Behlan Khanpur in Fatehgarh Sahib district, by a team of doctors led by Dr TS Mahant, Executive Director, CTVS and Dr Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

Abhijot, son of a daily wager, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (hole in the heart) and was referred to Fortis Hospital Mohali by the Rotary Club of Kharar to the Heartline team of Rotary Club in Chandigarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Abha Joshi Sharma, President, Rotary Club of Chandigarh, shared that the initiative has transformed countless lives, not only across India but also globally. “In addition to children from across the country, over 160 children from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Mongolia, and parts of Africa have received life-saving treatment through this initiative, giving them a new lease of life,” she said.

She also acknowledged the continued support of Fortis Hospital Mohali, and its leadership, including Ashish Bhatia, Executive Vice President, Fortis Healthcare; Dr TS Mahant, Executive Director, CTVS; and Abhijit Singh, Head- SBU, Fortis Hospital Mohali for supporting the Project Heartline. She also gave credit to former World President Rotary International, Rajendra K Saboo and his wife Usha Saboo for conceiving the project.

“While 800 might be a significant milestone, but for us it represents 800 lives transformed. It is also a great occasion to express our gratitude to the team of doctors and nurses who have made us the instrument to save the lives of these children. They can now continue to lead a normal life and thrive,” added Usha Saboo, wife of former world President Rotary International, Rajendra K Saboo.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr TS Mahant, Executive Director, CTVS, Fortis Hospital Mohali said, “Partnering with Rotary Club of Chandigarh for Heartline has been one of our most fulfilling programmes. Our clinical team is proud to combine surgical excellence with Rotary’s spirit of service. Together, we are not just treating hearts, we are healing families.”

Dr Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Mohali said, “Every child deserves a healthy heart and an equal chance at life, irrespective of financial circumstances. The Rotary Heartline Project has become a lifeline for countless families, enabling timely intervention for congenital heart diseases. Completing 800 successful surgeries is not just a medical milestone, but a reflection of what compassionate collaboration between healthcare and community organisations can achieve. Seeing these children recover and go on to live normal, healthy lives is the greatest reward for us as clinicians."

Launched in 1999 as a Gift of Life project on the motto “no child should die for want of money,” and with the support of PGIMER, to benefit only about 40 children initially, the Club decided to expand its services for several economically challenged children suffering from congenital cardiac diseases. However, after the completion of 100 surgeries, the Club re-named the programme as Rotary Heartline Project and in 2005-06, entered into an agreement with Fortis Hospital Mohali to save the lives of infants requiring cardiac interventions.