The initiative was inaugurated by Hon. Ms. Hemangini Patil, Regional Transport Officer, Thane Region, and Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals, Maharashtra. They were joined by Fortis Mumbai's leadership team and emergency medicine specialists, including Dr. Sandeep Gore, Director, Emergency Medicine, Fortis Hospital Mulund; Dr. Amit Nabar, Director, Emergency and Community Medicine, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate; Dr. Preetam Gaikwad, Head, Emergency Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi – A Fortis Network Hospital; and Dr. Sudhir Gore, Head, Emergency Medicine, Fortis Hospital Kalyan. The specialists highlighted the growing need to build CPR preparedness beyond hospital environments and create a community capable of responding during the crucial first minutes of a cardiac emergency.
The launch also received support from Dr. Manjeet Singh Arora, Senior Consultant and General Physician at Fortis Hospital Mulund, who has led community CPR training programmes for the past two decades and has received multiple recognitions for his contribution to strengthening community emergency preparedness.
Fortis Hospitals Mumbai stated that the first few minutes following a sudden cardiac emergency are often decisive in determining survival. Through the 'Har Ghar Hero' initiative, the hospital network aims to expand CPR awareness and practical training across communities, creating a larger network of trained individuals capable of providing immediate assistance until professional medical teams arrive. The initiative has been designed as a citywide movement, connecting residents from South Mumbai to the distant suburbs with the common objective of building a CPR-ready Mumbai.
As part of the campaign, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai will collaborate with civic authorities, utility and service providers, transport operators, quick-commerce companies, housing societies, corporate offices, educational institutions and other community organisations to expand CPR awareness throughout the city. During the coming year, the initiative aims to train and equip two lakh Mumbaikars from all age groups and backgrounds with essential CPR skills while building a growing network of trained first responders capable of acting before Emergency Medical Services teams reach the scene.
The hospital network will also conduct a community perception survey to assess the current level of emergency preparedness among Mumbai residents and evaluate awareness regarding Basic Life Support, CPR and the use of Automated External Defibrillators. The findings are expected to identify existing knowledge gaps and help shape future training programmes across the city.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals, Maharashtra, said that the 'Har Ghar Hero' initiative represents an important step toward making CPR preparedness a community priority. She stated that during a cardiac emergency, the first person available to provide assistance is often a family member, colleague, neighbour or passer-by rather than a healthcare professional. She added that the objective is to create a culture in which every household has at least one person who knows how to respond effectively during a medical emergency, while sustained partnerships and community-led training will help build a city that is better prepared to save lives.
Fortis Hospitals Mumbai highlighted that its emergency medicine specialists have collectively trained and certified more than 1.5 lakh Mumbaikars in CPR over the past several years. The outreach has included engagement with more than 1,000 housing societies, over 350 corporate establishments, more than 300 schools and colleges, over 100 government departments and civic institutions, and more than 600 non-governmental organisations and community groups. Through the 'Har Ghar Hero' movement, Fortis Mumbai aims to transform these efforts into a sustained citywide campaign that develops an expanding network of trained citizens capable of acting as lifesaving first responders during critical emergencies.
Fortis Healthcare Limited stated that it is one of India's leading integrated healthcare delivery service providers, with healthcare services spanning hospitals, diagnostics and day-care specialty facilities. The company currently operates 36 healthcare facilities, including joint venture and operations and management facilities, across 12 states and union territories. Its network includes more than 6,000 operational beds, including operations and management beds, along with 400 diagnostic laboratories.
The initiative is also supported by IHH Healthcare, a multinational healthcare provider operating across 10 countries. Through its network of more than 140 healthcare facilities, including over 80 hospitals, and a workforce of approximately 70,000 professionals, IHH Healthcare delivers services ranging from primary and ambulatory care to quaternary care, diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home healthcare. The organisation continues to focus on advancing value-based healthcare and strengthening sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.
The launch of 'Har Ghar Hero' marks a significant step in expanding community participation in emergency healthcare by empowering ordinary citizens with lifesaving CPR skills. By targeting widespread training across neighbourhoods, educational institutions, workplaces and civic organisations, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai aims to create a stronger first-response network capable of improving survival outcomes during cardiac emergencies and making the city better prepared to respond when immediate action can save lives.
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