Bangalore: 'Gift of Life', a New York based philanthropic foundation, plans to fund 1,000 cardiac operations for children in India by the end of December 2004, it's India project director Ravishankar Bhooplapur said on May 27.

Speaking to reporters after Gift of Life and Needy Heart Foundation – the charity wing of Manipal Hospital – announced their coming together for the programme, Bhooplapur said Gift of Life had committed $ 3,50,000 in grant for India.

Needy Heart Foundation was inducted in the panel of participating hospitals that support the Gift of Life campaign for treating the poor children with heart problems at Manipal Hospital.

Bhooplapur said according to their estimates, over 40,000 poor children with cardiac problems need immediate attention in India alone.

Manipal Hospital chief executive officer (CEO) R Basil said the partnership with Gift of Life was a testament and a "grand step" in helping those who shied away from life saving treatments for want of funds.

The Manipal Heart Foundation has conducted over 8,000 surgeries with 98 per cent success rate since its launch, it was noted.

PTI