Mammootty launches ‘Vatsalyam’ project to provide free surgeries for children under 14

Kochi: Actor Mammootty has announced a new initiative called Vatsalyam, which offers free robotic surgeries—including heart surgeries—for children under 14 from financially struggling families. The project is being implemented by Mammootty’s charitable organisation, Care and Share International, in partnership with Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva.

The first surgery under this project was performed at the end of last month on seven-year-old Nida Fathima at Rajagiri Hospital. Mammootty’s intervention came after he learned about Nida’s condition through a fan, an act that received significant media attention. Following this, advanced surgeries will now be provided to 99 more children under the Vatsalyam initiative.

Mammootty expressed that focusing health schemes solely on adults is not sufficient and emphasised the importance of extending care to children, which inspired the launch of this project.

Fr. Johnson Vazhappilly CMI, Executive Director and CEO of Rajagiri Hospital, described Vatsalyam as a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare. The project is a continuation of the Hridayam initiative, launched on May 25, 2022, which has already facilitated free surgeries for 65 cardiac patients and provided surgical concessions to around 80 others, according to K. Muralidharan, Chairman of Care and Share International.

Dr. Vineet Binu, Pediatric Surgeon at Rajagiri Hospital, is leading the surgeries under the project. The procedures include pyeloplasty and ureteric re-implantation (related to kidneys and bladder), choledochal cyst surgery (liver-related), fundoplication surgery (for the esophagus and stomach), and the removal of congenital chest masses.

Families interested in participating in the project can contact Care and Share International at 0484-2377369 or +91 95620 48414.