The Gauri Kaul Foundation (GKF), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to addressing cardiac care disparities in Jammu and Kashmir, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this April. What began as a localised initiative has grown into a significant force, having positively impacted thousands of lives across the Union Territory by expanding access to critical cardiac health services.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Foundation’s initial efforts were driven by the Gauri Healthy Heart Project. This project focused on reaching remote and underserved communities, conducting diagnostic camps in areas such as Dudi village in Machil (Kupwara), Kremshore and Ringzabal in Budgam, and the peripheral regions around Dal Lake. The initiative also extended its services to the Leper Home in Bhagwanpora and the Jagti Migrant Colony in Jammu, ensuring that geographical or social barriers did not prevent individuals from receiving necessary medical attention.
Expanding Infrastructure and Reach
Following its transition into the Gauri Kaul Foundation, the organisation significantly enhanced its infrastructure. In partnership with the Rashtriya Rifles and Helpline Humanity, GKF established crucial Telemedicine units in Machil and Jagti. These units serve as vital links, connecting patients in remote locations with specialist consultants. The Machil unit has been integrated with the Sahi Memorial Hospital, offering admission facilities and providing healthcare to the surrounding villages, managed by the Rashtriya Rifles.
Currently, GKF operates two primary healthcare facilities: The Gauri Heart Centre in Srinagar and the Prasad Joo Heart Centre in Village Hawal. The Hawal centre, strategically positioned near Shopian, serves an estimated 1.2 million people across the districts of Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. Its services are also sought by patients from Rajouri and Poonch who utilize the Mughal Road route. The GKF adheres to a comprehensive care model that encompasses thorough investigation, precise diagnosis, and compassionate treatment delivered by a team of experienced physicians and technical staff.
Mobile Health Units and School Screenings
In 2025, the Foundation introduced the IOCL-Heart Clinic on Wheels, a mobile diagnostic unit designed to bring non-invasive investigations and point-of-care blood tests directly to remote outreach areas. This mobile service plays a critical role in the early detection of heart failure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes, employing advanced biomarkers to identify cardiac muscle damage. A key component of this initiative is the School Heart Screening Program.
Through on-site physical examinations, ECGs, and echocardiograms, GKF has screened approximately 750 school children in South Kashmir, identifying potential cardiac issues at their nascent stages. The mobile unit is also visiting Community Health and Wellness Centres in South Kashmir districts to identify gaps in the management of hypertension, diabetes, and pre-existing heart conditions. These investigations, including echocardiography and point-of-care blood tests, are provided free of charge, with a commitment to three-monthly follow-ups for these patients. The long-term objective is to extend this program to all 20 districts of the Union Territory, with a final report to be submitted to the health authorities of Jammu and Kashmir to highlight areas requiring focused attention.
Foundation’s Governance and Future Vision
The Gauri Kaul Foundation’s operations are guided by its directors and trustees, including Mrs Devaki Jain, Mr M A Pathan, Mr Amod Kanth, and Mrs Meera Shah. The Foundation also relies on its dedicated volunteers and the generous support of organisations such as the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, and the Interventional Cardiology Foundation of India. The GKF has extended an invitation for more philanthropic organisations to contribute to its mission, aiming to ensure that no individual is deprived of cardiac care due to financial constraints or geographical remoteness.
To commemorate its achievements over the past five years, the GKF will release a comprehensive Five-Year Report during its Foundation Day celebrations on April 17th. Looking ahead, the Foundation’s leadership is focused on ensuring long-term sustainability. Future efforts will concentrate on strengthening existing programs, expanding its geographical footprint within Jammu and Kashmir, and reinforcing its institutional framework to solidify its role as a dedicated provider of cardiac health services in the region.
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