Mumbai, Sep 23 (IANS): Megastar Akshay Kumar's heart beats for the juvenile and old alike -- he has become the ambassador of a Mumbai-based hospital to support children and senior citizens suffering from heart ailment.

The action hero is now the 'Goodheart Ambassador' for Asian Heart Institute (AHI) to espouse the cause of over one million babies born worldwide with congenital heart problems, mostly from economically deprived sections, and senior citizens struggling to eke out their second innings on meagre resources, said AHI Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ramakant Panda.

"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 told IANS.

The benefits under 'Asian Seva' can be availed by children below 12 years and senior citizens above 65 years of age, he added.

Launching the 'Asian Seva' here Thursday evening, Akshay said: "This team, 'Messiahs of Heart', believes in giving back to society and the least we can do is support them in their noble endeavour."

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

The 'Asian Seva' will also collaborate actively with the Retail Drugs and Chemists Association and pharmacists, numbering over 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 pointed out.

Panda also launched a 24-hour helpline - 126126 - for heart patients in need of emergency care.