Bringing Lifesaving Skills to the Community
KARNAL, Haryana, India — In a nation where sudden cardiac arrest remains a major public health challenge and precious minutes often determine whether a person lives or dies, a new community-based CPR education initiative is working to transform ordinary citizens into lifesavers.
The in Karnal, Haryana, bringing together volunteer medical professionals from Boston, Seattle, and Hyderabad to train healthcare workers and community members in CPR techniques based on American Heart Association (AHA) standards.
The initiative is designed to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve community response to cardiac arrest, and create a culture of lifesaving action across underserved populations.
A Mission Rooted in Service and Education
The program marks the latest chapter in BCF’s more than 35-year commitment to delivering advanced cardiac care, medical education, and humanitarian healthcare services worldwide.
Founded and led by Dr. Salil Midha, the nonprofit organization has earned international recognition for combining advanced cardiac treatment with physician training and capacity building in regions where access to specialized healthcare remains limited.
What distinguishes the foundation’s approach is its emphasis not only on treating heart disease but also on empowering communities through education and preventive health initiatives.
“Taking care of patients with serious heart disease free of cost around the world has been one of the most satisfying things in my life. I am truly excited to start new programs and advanced education,” said Dr. Salil Midha.
For Dr. Midha, every training session represents an opportunity to save lives long before patients enter a hospital.
Why CPR Training Matters
The significance of the Karnal initiative extends far beyond a traditional medical workshop.
Medical experts emphasize that survival from sudden cardiac arrest often depends on the actions taken in the first few minutes following collapse. During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops pumping blood to the brain and other vital organs. Without intervention, irreversible brain damage can begin within minutes.
Bystander CPR helps maintain circulation until emergency medical services arrive, dramatically improving the chances of survival and recovery.
The Boston Cardiac Foundation believes that widespread CPR training can fundamentally change outcomes during these emergencies.
“CPR training transforms ordinary citizens into immediate responders. Every person trained in Hands-Only CPR becomes a potential lifesaver, capable of sustaining life until professional medical care arrives.”
By training healthcare workers, students, villagers, and community leaders, the foundation hopes to create a growing network of responders prepared to act confidently when every second counts.
Creating a Culture of Lifesavers
The Karnal program arrives at a time when India is witnessing a growing movement to expand CPR awareness and emergency response education.
Public health experts increasingly describe CPR education as one of the most cost-effective and impactful interventions for reducing deaths from sudden cardiac arrest. While advanced medical technology plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, experts agree that the greatest determinant of survival often lies in whether a bystander is willing and able to begin CPR immediately.
The new initiative seeks to bridge that gap by making lifesaving knowledge accessible at the community level.
Organizers view the program as more than a training exercise. It is designed to foster a culture where citizens recognize cardiac emergencies, respond without hesitation, and understand that immediate action can preserve life until professional care becomes available.
More Than Three Decades of Global Humanitarian Outreach
The CPR initiative reflects a broader philosophy that has guided the Boston Cardiac Foundation throughout its humanitarian work.
Over the years, volunteer teams of physicians, nurses, technologists, and healthcare professionals have participated in medical missions across India, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Haiti, Paraguay, and Cape Verde. Through these efforts, the organization has facilitated more than 1,000 lifesaving cardiac procedures while simultaneously training local healthcare providers in advanced cardiac care.
Rather than delivering short-term interventions alone, the foundation focuses on sustainable healthcare development through education, mentorship, and technology transfer.
This approach has enabled local medical teams to continue providing advanced cardiac services long after international missions have concluded.
Advancing Cardiac Care Through International Collaboration
The foundation’s commitment to education was further demonstrated in February 2026 when Dr. Midha completed his 46th international medical mission.
During visits to New Delhi and Meerut, BCF specialists performed pacemaker and defibrillator implantations free of cost and conducted advanced physician training in left bundle branch pacing, an innovative cardiac pacing technique used to improve heart function in selected patients.
The mission was carried out in partnership with Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in New Delhi and Jaswant Rai Specialty Hospital in Meerut, with support from Dr. Leon Ptaszek of Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Karnal CPR initiative extends this same philosophy beyond physicians and hospitals, placing lifesaving knowledge directly into the hands of community members.
The Network of Support Behind the Mission
The success of the Boston Cardiac Foundation’s humanitarian efforts has been made possible through extensive collaboration among physicians, hospitals, corporate partners, volunteers, and community leaders.
The foundation acknowledges the generous support of Medtronic, which has donated more than $4 million worth of medical devices and supplies, helping expand access to life-saving cardiac care across multiple countries.
BCF also recognizes the continued support of Abbott and local representatives from both organizations who have contributed to advancing cardiac care initiatives and educational programs.
Among the healthcare institutions that have played vital roles in supporting BCF’s medical missions and training activities are:
- Arpana Hospital, Karnal
- Jaswant Rai Specialty Hospital, Meerut
- Sitaram Bhartia Hospital, New Delhi
- Global Hospital, Mount Abu
The foundation also expressed gratitude to an exceptional team of collaborators and supporters whose contributions have strengthened its global impact, including:
- Dr. Leon Ptaszek
- Dr. Carl Turrisini
- Brenda Houde
- Dr. Timothy Hudson
- Greg Simokonis
- Norris Edwards of Medic One
- Ravinder Dayal
- Priya Dayal
- Dr. Panda
- Ish Bhatnagar
- Dr. Maheshwar Reddy
- Dr. Rohit Reddy
- Mr. Anupam Sachdev
The foundation additionally recognized numerous physicians, hospital administrators, trustees, volunteers, donors, and community advocates whose support continues to make its global healthcare missions possible.
Recognition for Humanitarian Excellence
The impact of BCF’s work has earned recognition far beyond the medical community.
In 2011, Dr. Midha and his team were honored by the Limca Book of Records after successfully implanting 11 charitable pacemakers in a single day, underscoring the scale and effectiveness of their commitment to accessible cardiac care.
The achievement remains a testament to the foundation’s central belief that quality healthcare should be available regardless of a patient’s financial circumstances.
Building a Healthier and More Resilient Future
As India continues its journey toward becoming what many health advocates describe as a “nation of lifesavers,” initiatives such as the CPR training program in Karnal illustrate a fundamental truth: lifesaving care often begins not in an operating room or emergency department, but in the hands of a trained bystander.
The launch of the Arpana Hospital CPR education program is therefore more than a community health initiative. It is an investment in public awareness, emergency preparedness, medical education, and human compassion.
By empowering individuals with practical lifesaving skills, the Boston Cardiac Foundation is helping create communities that are better prepared to respond during moments of crisis.
As Dr. Salil Midha and his team continue their mission across continents, their message remains clear: “Together, we are educating communities, strengthening healthcare, and saving lives, one patient and one community at a time.”
Through education, collaboration, and service, the Boston Cardiac Foundation is demonstrating that some of the most powerful tools in medicine are not found in operating rooms or laboratories, but in the knowledge, preparedness, and willingness of ordinary people to save a life when it matters most.
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