The Indian Association is to send 11 children to India for open heart surgery. The body's Executive Committee Chairman, Naren Mehta, said the children will be leaving on Monday, November 30, for Narayana Hrudalaya Hospital in Bangalore, India, where they will spend three weeks.

"We will continue to help and assist the less fortunate and needy in the community. It has always been our primary goal to be a part of every noble cause and our mission is to help, in whatever way we can," Naren said. "This great country has given us numerous opportunities and the vision of the Indian Association is to make it a better place to live in, for each and every one of us," he said.

According to Naren, the operation will cost Shs200 million which has been contributed by different Indian organisations, including Bank of Baroda, Farm Engineering Industries Ltd, Crane Bank, Rajasthani Association, and Shree Kutch Satsang, among others.

Among the children to be operated is five-year-old Nankunda Nsimenta, Dalia Muhindo 12; Peter Muwonge, 9; Andrew Kiribaki, 2; Andrew Mulumya, 2; Harrison Mucheri 9; Mohammad Lutaaya 12; Ronald Mufumba, 5; Charles Ofwono, 9; John Grant, 3; and Andre Wegesa, 3.

Last year, the association sponsored six young heart patients for heart surgery in India at a cost of Shs100 million. Naryana Hrudayalaya is a top hospital in India which specialises in cardiology and paediatric care.

According to Mehta, the association this year targets to offer open heart surgery to 20 children -with the remaining nine being operated on at Mulago Hospital.