National Heart Institute (NHI), New Delhi

National Heart Institute, brain child of doyenne of cardiology in India, Dr. S. Padmavati, was inaugurated in 1981 by the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The main objectives of the Foundation are scientific research in the area of cardiology in all of its various aspects, stimulation and development of heart care through public health education, training of doctors and paramedical personnel, improving diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, development of national educational programmes to control all types of heart diseases and treatment of heart patients. Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), the most important cause of heart disease in children and young adults, have been the subject of study since 1966. A model registry for RF/RHD has been created and maintained for follow-up since 1977.