Ladakh is one of the largest districts in the Indian Himalayas, lying at an altitude of 3/3500m. The high altitude, extremely cold environment and difficult living conditions result in a high incidence of congenital and acquired heart disease, as well as causing a high prevalence of respiratory problems. Since it was established, the foundation and all those involved have worked hard to help the people of Ladakh in teaching them more bout the risks of heart disease, and in raising money to improve Ladakh’s facilities for the treatment of such conditions.

Before the establishment of the Ladakh Heart Foundation in 1997, there was a high prevalence of Acquired Rheumatic Fever in Ladakh. During the extremely cold winter months (temperatures sometimes dropping below 30), local families spend most of their time together in the traditional kitchen. This close proximity to each other causes the rampant spread of streptococcal throat infections, which may develop into Acquired Rheumatic Fever, and possibly Rheumatic Heart Disease with severe consequences later in life.

In response to this problem the Ladakh Heart Foundation, in association with the Lions Club Leh and the District Health Services, initiated the “Primary Prevention of ARF” plan. This entails any child aged between five and fifteen with possible streptococcal throat infection, receiving a single shot of Benzathene Penicillin, so that the infection doesn’t develop into ARF. This plan was successful in diminishing the number of people affected with Acquired Rheumatic Fever since 1997.

(From www.ladakhheart.com)