About CHIME
About CHIME
Every year, over 200,000 children in India are born with congenital heart disease, which includes over 150 different types and manifestations, with a hole in the heart being just one of them. An estimated 9 in every 1,000 children are affected by this condition, and many require life-saving surgery within their first year of life. Unfortunately, only a small number of these children receive the necessary treatment each year.
CHIME steps in to support the families of these children, alleviating their financial burdens, helping them avoid crippling debt, and raising funds to ensure their children receive the care they need. This assistance allows these children to recover and lead healthy, normal lives, just like their peers.
In the past 17 years, CHIME has helped over 1,300 children who would otherwise not have been able to afford critical heart surgeries. This success has been made possible through the goodwill and generosity of our patrons and supporters, who have made it all possible.
Many people may not realize the importance of specialized Pediatric Cardiology, a field that is essential due to the large number of children born with congenital heart disease each year. Over 90% of these children come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, where a lack of awareness, information, and access to adequate healthcare often results in preventable deaths.
Recognizing this gap in care, MIOT Hospitals established the MIOT Centre for Children’s Cardiac Care in 2007, led by a team of specialists in neonatal surgery and invasive procedures. Within a month of its establishment, the need to extend care to children in remote areas became clear, and the initiative to provide immediate medical help was set in motion.
Dr. Robert Coelho, Director & Chief Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at MIOT International, and his team began conducting camps around Chennai, identifying children in urgent need of life-saving treatment. After performing the first 10 surgeries free of cost, MIOT Hospitals understood that a sustainable, ongoing effort was needed to ensure more children could receive the necessary surgeries. This led to the establishment of a long-term mission to provide free heart surgeries to children in need.
In September 2007, Mrs. Mallika Mohandas, Chairman, MIOT International launched CHIME, a Charitable Trust to fund free or subsidized heart surgeries for underprivileged children suffering from congenital and rheumatic heart diseases. While MIOT Hospitals continues to perform these surgeries, additional financial support is essential to sustain this mission. CHIME collaborates with the community, reaching out to philanthropists and well-wishers to raise the funds needed to provide life-saving heart surgeries for children in need.
Spotting Little Hearts in Need
Knowing that every moment counts when it comes to cardiac issues in children, CHIME does not wait for a child to become critically ill or require emergency medical attention. Instead, we actively go into communities to identify children with heart defects before they show symptoms or reach a critical stage.
Our Doctors visit various districts, coordinating with coordination with District Early Intervention Centres (DEIC) & Primary Health Centres (PHC) of Tamil Nadu Government to conduct free cardiac medical screening camps. The children are examined and those in need of cardiac care are treated at the MIOT Centre for Children’s Cardiac Care, at no cost to families.
From Newborns to 17 years old
Thanks to the compassion of well-wishers, philanthropists, NGOs, and caring individuals, we’ve been able to reach countless young hearts ranging from babies just two weeks old to children 17 years old. When a child in need arrives at MIOT Hospitals, their financially struggling parents often feel powerless. That’s where CHIME steps in, ensuring every child gets the care they deserve and returns home healthy, happy, and with a bright smile.
Transforming Lives with Advanced Heart Care
The MIOT Center for Cardiac Care is a beacon of excellence in treating heart diseases, equipped with cutting-edge technologies like 3D and fetal echocardiography, MRI and MR angiography, a state-of-the-art catheterization lab, and a dedicated pediatric cardiac ICU.
Our skilled experts deliver life-saving interventions, including catheter procedures for heart defects, neonatal cardiac surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, valve repairs, and corrective surgeries for 'blue babies.'
MIOT’s expert team with more than 30 years of experience includes a paediatrician, paediatric cardiac surgeon, interventional cardiologist, paediatric surgeon, paediatric anaesthetist, intensivist, and nurses specialised in paediatric care.
With a commitment to precision and compassion, MIOT ensures every heart, no matter how small, receives the care it deserves.
1,000+ Little Hearts, 1,000+ Reasons to Smile and Counting!
Over the past 17 years, CHIME has transformed the lives of over 1,300 children from underserved communities, breaking barriers to life-saving cardiac care. Beyond financial assistance, CHIME delivers hope and second chances, empowering these young hearts to embrace healthier, brighter futures.
Support our Cause
At CHIME, we bring light to the lives of children in need. Your support helps us provide essential surgeries, screenings, and awareness programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts a child's chance at a healthier future. Join us in making a difference by giving the gift of hope today.
A Heartfelt Appeal for Yuvatharani
Yuvatharani, a 2-year-and-8-month-old girl from Pudukkottai district, is facing a critical health challenge. She has been diagnosed with pulmonary atresia/VSD/S/P Rastelli repair/critical LPA stenosis/dilated RV-PA conduit.
A Heartfelt Appeal for Mahadivyadharshini
Mahadivyadharshini, a 6-year-old girl, who is in dire need of life-saving cardiac surgery. She has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia, VSD, MAPCAs, small branch PAs. She needs to undergo open heart surgery Unifocalization of the MAPCAs and complete intracardiac repair – RV – PA tissue valve conduit for correction of the same.
A Heartfelt Appeal for Vijay Kumar
Vijay Kumar, an 8-year-old boy hailing from the Chennai district studies class III in a Government school. He was suffering with severe cough and breathing difficulties, so the parents consulted him at various hospitals.
A Heartfelt Appeal for Jaswanth
Jaswanth, a bright-eyed 5-year-old boy, fights against an overwhelming battle for survival. Born with congenital heart defects, Jaswanth’s early years have been filled with hospital visits, medical procedures, and uncertainty.