By Godfrey D'Souza: Provincial of Mumbai

Fr. Joaquim D'Souza (Regional of Australasia: 1996-2002, Regional of South East Asia: 2002-2008, and former Superior of the Università Pintificia Salesiana in Rome: 2008-2014) complained of breathlessness and went and saw the family doctor of the Salesians. Dr. Arun told him to be admitted immediately.

He was admitted to Holy Family Hospital and yesterday afternoon the Doctors (Dr. Robin Pinto & Dr. Yash Lokhandwala) operated on him.

He has a Heart block. Heart block is a problem that occurs with the heart's electrical system. This system controls the rate and rhythm of heartbeats. ("Rate" refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute. "Rhythm" refers to the pattern of regular or irregular pulses produced as the heart beats.)

With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads across the heart from the upper to the lower chambers. As it travels, the signal causes the heart to contract and pump blood. Heart block occurs if the electrical signal is slowed or disrupted as it moves through the heart. The doctors have now put a pace maker to help regulate the heartbeat.

Kindly keep him in your prayers that he may recover well and bounce back to health.