Bollywood super star Akshay Kumar has been named as the ambassador of a Mumbai-based hospital with the aim to back up kids and old persons suffering from heart disease.

The 'Khiladi Kumar' is currently the 'Goodheart Ambassador' for Asian Heart Institute (AHI) to support the cause of more than one million infants born globally with congenital heart problems, mostly from economically depressed segments, and senior citizens fighting to eke out their second innings on meager resources.

AHI Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ramakant Panda made this declaration.

"AHI has launched 'Asian Seva' to provide economical but expert cardiac treatment, surgery and medical care to the two most important segments of our society -- children and old citizens," Panda said.

The advantages under 'Asian Seva' can be gained by kids under 12 years and oldsters above 65 years of age.

Introducing the 'Asian Seva' on Thursday evening, Akshay stated, "This team, 'Messiahs of Heart', believes in giving back to society and the least we can do is support them in their noble endeavor."

Akshay said that when Ramakant Panda approached him with the offer to be the ambassador, "he left me with no reason to refuse".

The 'Asian Seva' will also team up energetically with the Retail Drugs and Chemists Association and pharmacists, numbering more than 1,000 in Mumbai.

"This segment plays an important role as many people don't come to us first. They go to the chemist and buy medicines to get back on their feet. This is the kind of trust people pose in them," Panda remarked.

Panda also rolled out a 24-hour helpline number 126126 for heart disease sufferers.