Rotary International pledges 50 free heart surgeries for local children |02 March 2022
Mr Mehta during his call on President Ramkalawan (Photo: Joena Meme)
Fifty Seychellois children with heart problem will benefit from free heart surgeries, a gift from the Rotary International, president for 2021-22 Shekhar Mehta has announced.
Mr Mehta, who is presently on official visit in the country, made the announcement yesterday after meeting with President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House.
He was accompanied by his wife Rashi Mehta; president for Rotary Club of Victoria (District 9220) Angele Low-Sauzier; president for the Rotary Club of Coco de Mer Lucile de Comarmond; president for the Rotaract Club of Mahé, Brigitte Gbilimou; along with past district governors.
Mr Mehta’s visit is the first ever by a president of Rotary International in the 53 years since the existence of Rotary Clubs in the country.
Training of health professionals, precisely nurses, were also discussed yesterday, and will be conducted on a reciprocal basis with trainers coming down from India, while local nurses will also go to India for further training.
The president of the Rotary International further added there has also been agreement between him and President Ramkalawan in relation to eye surgeries that will be performed locally by surgeons from India, clearing the existing backlog.
E-Learning or audiovisual content to boost the local educational system across all levels also featured on the list of discussion yesterday.
Prior to his meeting with President Ramkalawan at State House, Mr Mehta planted a coco de mer nut at the Botanical Garden as a symbolic gesture to mark his visit.
Mr Mehta, an accountant, is chair of the Skyline Group, a real estate development company he founded. He is also a director of Operation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada-based organisation.
He has been actively involved in disaster response and is a trustee of ShelterBox, UK.
After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes for families affected by the disaster.
Mr Mehta pioneered a programme that has performed more than 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries in South Asia.
He is also the architect of the TEACH Program, which promotes literacy throughout India and has reached thousands of schools.
A Rotary member since 1984, Mr Mehta has served Rotary as director, member or chair of several committees, zone coordinator, training leader, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and district governor.
He is also the chair of Rotary Foundation (India).
Mr Mehta has received Rotary’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.
Roland Duval
