Parents of Malawian children who travelled to Israel recently for life-saving heart surgeries have expressed gratitude to Israeli hospital, Save a Child’s Heart (SACH), describing the programme as a lifeline for families who could not afford medical expenses.
Ten children aged between two and 19 years were taken to Israel through SACH for specialised cardiac procedures at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.
The children were identified during a medical screening mission conducted by SACH at the referral facility, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre last year, where about 150 children were assessed and 88 were found with treatable heart conditions.
Fiskan Ngwira one of the mothers, whose three-year-old daughter is among the children receiving treatment, expressed gratitude to the authorities at the facility and supporters for the assistance they have provided.
In a message to Dr Nil Gess, Ngwira said the mothers appreciated the support, including upkeep assistance and visits from the medical team.
“On behalf of my fellow mothers, thank you for sending Madam Irina to see us and for the support with upkeep. Your kindness has given us strength. God bless you richly,” she said.
The mothers have also praised the initiative for helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds access specialised treatment that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
The medical mission, coordinated by Save a Child’s Heart with support from the Menomadin Foundation, brought together Israeli specialists and Malawian health workers to provide treatment and strengthen local capacity in managing childhood heart diseases.
By Charles Chindongo
