IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Recognizing the health risk that the Indian population faces, Apollo Hospitals Group launched the Billion Hearts Beating (BHB) campaign in 2010. BHB is an independent, not-for-profit foundation established to help India become heart healthy.
It is a national platform that addresses some of the core issues pertaining to heart disease, and how it maybe combated through a sustained program of awareness and action.
If Billion Hearts Beating had to work, the answer lay in going beyond merely communicating the many ways in which heart disease could be beaten.
The campaign had to play a much larger role in actually motivating people to take a decisive step towards beating heart disease, in a warm, personal and empathetic way. BHB’s chances of catalyzing any change would be best by actively promoting a culture of heart health, rooted in positivity and a better lifestyle.
Therefore BHB has developed a simple yet comprehensive lifestyle guide: The Simple 5 Solution
1. Eat Healthy
2. Get Active
3. Quit Smoking
4. Beat Stress
5. Get a Regular Heart Check.
The good news is that BHB’s entreaty has not gone unanswered, attracting the unstinting support of Bollywood celebrities, industrialists, spiritual gurus, sport persons, Chief Ministers,the NCC (National Cadet Corps), AIESEC, the police department, and India’s leading publication, The Times of India.
Today, BHB reaches out in a variety of ways:
Health camps and free heart checks for the underprivileged are held across the country.
Over 1, 75,000 individuals have already received free Apollo health checks.
BHB has adopted 22 old age homes in Delhi NCR. The aim of the programme is to assess the medical conditions and to provide required medication.
Over 5,03,000 people across India have taken the pledge at to make meaningful changes in their lives in order to fight heart disease. Monthly newsletters on health and online contests are conducted to engage these pledge takers.
The presence of Billion Hearts Beating on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter has enabled a growing online community to engage in consistent, meaningful dialogues on heart health. BHB today has a staggering fan base of over 4, 70,000 people on Facebook.
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A heart healthy workshop called BHB@Work has been specially designed for corporates. This fun and interactive workshop promotes the importance of having a heart healthy workplace.
“We are privileged to have the sincere support of AIESEC, the world’s largest youth-run organization. It promises the diversity, energy and keenness of one of the most important groups in the country; when it comes to carrying and spreading the message of better heart health and helping bring about the change the country requires by joining hands with BHB.”, Billion Hearts Beating Foundation said in a statement.
Billion Hearts Beating is grateful to have the whole-hearted support of the National Cadet Corps. This is a significant step forward, for it means some of India’s finest young people – energetic, patriotic, disciplined and eager – will now carry the message of better heart health.
“Our collaboration with the NCC aims to arm cadets with necessary first aid skills, including basic life support, and certify the trainers. Billion Hearts Beating and Apollo’s Emergency Care Team aims to train all 15 lakh young NCC cadets over the next five years and stand united against the pandemic of heart disease.”, Billion Hearts Beating Foundation added.
BHB is the 4th Organization in the country to become an Associate National Member of the World Heart Federation, Geneva – they are leaders in the global fight against cardiovascular disease (CVD) – including heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, via a united community of more than 200 member organizations.
BHB has also been recogonised at various CSR platforms :
a. Health Promotion Award” at the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards 2012 (AREA)
b. BHB was recognised for Best CSR Practices in the category ‘Concern for health’ at the Global CSR Excellence and leadership awards in February 2014 organised by ABP news.
c. BHB won the Excellence award at the Asian Hospital Management Award 2014 under the category Corporate Social Responsibility.
The susceptibility of Indians to heart disease has long been evidenced in the scientific community.
1. In India 60% of patients suffer from acute coronary syndrome, as compared to 40% in the developed countries.
2. According to W.H.O, by 2015, 60% of the world’s cardiac patients will be Indians.
3. India has the dubious distinction of being the ‘Heart Disease Capital of the World.
4. India has about 50 million people who suffer from coronary heart disease, and the number is growing alarmingly.
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