Chennai, August 5, 2025: In a major milestone for pediatric cardiac care in India, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai, has successfully completed over 6,000 pediatric cardiac surgeries and 10,000 pediatric cardiac interventional procedures, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading private pediatric cardiac programs.
Since its establishment in 2009, the Department of Cardiac Sciences at Apollo Children’s Hospitals has consistently delivered high-quality care to children with congenital and acquired heart diseases, including some of the most complex and high-risk procedures in newborns and infants.
Pediatric heart disease is among the most intricate areas of medical care. In India, nearly 8 out of every 1,000 children are born with congenital heart defects, which translates to approximately 300,000 affected children annually. Apollo Children’s Hospitals has addressed this significant health challenge with a multidisciplinary approach, providing advanced and individualized surgical and interventional care to infants, children, and young adults.
Led by Dr. Neville Solomon, Senior Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, and Dr. C. S. Muthukumaran, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, the team has performed an extensive range of life-saving procedures. These include arterial switch operations and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC) surgeries in newborns, complex aortic arch reconstructions, valve repairs, surgeries for tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia, single ventricle palliation, and highly complex redo surgeries. Remarkably, the youngest baby operated on was just 3 hours old, and the smallest weighed only 650 grams.
Dr. Neville Solomon, Senior Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon at Apollo Children’s Hospitals, said: “Pediatric cardiac surgery requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of congenital heart defects. At Apollo Children’s Hospitals, our approach integrates high-resolution diagnostics, evidence-based protocols, and real-time decision-making. Multidisciplinary coordination, including meticulous preoperative planning and intensive postoperative care is critical to achieving favorable outcomes in these high-risk pediatric patients.”
Dr. C. S. Muthukumaran, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Children’s Hospitals, said: “Pediatric interventional cardiology has evolved significantly, enabling us to treat a wide spectrum of congenital heart defects through minimally invasive techniques. These procedures reduce the need for open-heart surgery and shorten recovery times. At Apollo Children’s Hospitals, our use of advanced imaging, catheter-based technology, and individualised treatment strategies allows us to intervene safely and effectively.
Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer – Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals, said: “This milestone is a reflection of Apollo’s commitment to deliver world-class paediatric care. The exceptional work by our paediatric cardiac team stands as a testament to clinical excellence, continuous innovation, and holistic healing at Apollo. Saving a child’s heart means changing the course of a family’s future. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the team for this outstanding achievement.”
The milestone includes over 3000 complex neonatal cardiac surgeries, 40 ECMO procedures, and paediatric heart transplants in collaboration with Apollo’s transplant team. Beyond India, the team has performed another 1500 surgeries in other Apollo branches and international missions in Iraq and Nigeria. Apollo Children’s Hospital has also been the site of the successful separation of conjoined twins, underscoring the hospital’s comprehensive paediatric surgical capabilities.
With access to advanced diagnostic tools, state-of-the-art operating theatres, paediatric cardiac cath labs, and dedicated paediatric ICUs, Apollo Children’s Hospital ensures that every child receives personalised, seamless care, from early diagnosis to surgery and long-term follow-up.
Apollo Children’s Hospitals continues to lead with compassion and skill, transforming lives, one young heartbeat at a time.
About Apollo Hospitals:
It was in 1983, that Dr Prathap C Reddy made a pioneering endeavor by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 72 Hospitals and 5000 pharmacies, over 400 Primary Care clinics and 1228 Diagnostic centers, 700 plus Teleclinics, over 15 medical education centers and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials. The most recent investment was the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.
Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in recogniti on of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferr ed with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010.
For 40 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services.
