10 more Jamaican children to benefit from free heart surgery

All surgeries are being done during the period January 6-10, 2020 at the Paediatric Cardiac Centre at the children’s hospital. This is the second such undertaking within the last six months by the UK-based medical mission after 10 similar surgeries were carried out in August 2019.

Each year, over 400 children are born in Jamaica with congenital heart diseases, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Approximately 240 lives have been saved over two years through the Chain of Hope medical mission. Chain of Hope is a United Kingdom-based charitable organization founded by La Chaîne de l’Espoir, Professor Yacoub to help impoverished children with heart conditions in Jamaica and other countries.

“The foundation’s astounding contribution to BHC over the years is worthy of emulation,” the ministry said. “Chain of Hope, UK has provided specialized personnel and instrument, which has strengthened the efforts by Dr. Sherard Little, consultant peaediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and his team at the BHC to perform more lifesaving cardiac treatment.”

For the past 22 years of its existence, the foundation has played a fundamental role in shaping and improving the lives of over 700 children worldwide, who were unable to afford open-heart surgery and catheterisation procedures.

In his remarks during the official visit to the cardiac centre on January 8, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said that he will continue to provide support to these medical missions which helped to enhance the delivery of cardiovascular services.

Emma Scanlan, CEO, Chain of Hope, UK added that it cost US$5000 to perform heart surgeries on each child. Scanlan noted that the Chain of Hope, UK along with key stakeholders, including Gift of Life International and Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation, has been doing a remarkable task at enabling the children to have access to care that they would not otherwise receive.