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Sanjay Dutt and Namrata Dutt told a press conference on Wednesday they intended to give a new direction to NDMCT that has been serving the less fortunate patients for the past 30 years. “We realise children often die due to lack of platelets and not of cancer, and something like pediatric cancer is curable,” said Priya Dutt.
NDMCT, an offshoot of Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation started by Sunil Dutt in 1981, has also diversified into youth empowerment and medical awareness. It works extensively in the area of health, especially cancer and heart ailments.
“We don’t just provide medical treatment, we follow up and try to make people aware of preventive measures,” said Priya. The organisation is also providing free computer and English training with government schools.
“With so many shopping malls, there is no dearth of jobs. We are trying to equip the youth for these roles. Ninety per cent of students of our first batch got placed with salaries starting at Rs 5,000,” said Priya.
NDMCT also brings a group of doctors from the UK every two months for treatment of congenital heart diseases. British voluntary nurses and surgeons conduct operations for free at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai.
“Every year, only 20,000 of the 80,000 needy children are operated on for heart ailments. By the time it is the turn of the others, the hole in the heart becomes incurable. This collaboration with NDMCT is a massive step in the right direction,” said Sanjeev Nichani, a British-Indian surgeon.
