Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgical Initiative (PCTSI)

Every year, millions of children are born with congenital heart defects, a leading cause of infant mortality.

Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects, affecting millions of children worldwide. CHD accounts for a substantial proportion of infant mortality, with untreated cases often leading to severe complications and premature death.

In many developing countries, access to specialized medical care such as this is extremely limited, leading to high mortality rates and long-term health complications.

Hospitals for Humanity offers a comprehensive Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Initiative (PCTSI) program dedicated to delivering FREE, high-quality, life-saving open-heart surgeries to children with congenital heart defects in resource-constrained environments in Africa, with a current focus on Nigeria.

This initiative not only provides immediate medical care for these children but also aims to build the capacity of local medical professionals and establish sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

The Need

About 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect has a critical CHD (also known as critical congenital heart defect). Babies with a critical CHD need surgery or other procedures in the first year of life. In Africa, most children often do not receive this life-saving surgery. 1% of all births in Nigeria die due to congenital heart defect.
Undiagnosed children above 14 years of age have an increased mortality rate with certain CHD’s and would therefore have a higher risk of death before the age of 20.
In Africa, the number of pediatric open-heart surgeries performed annually is heartbreakingly low, leaving countless children in urgent need of life-saving cardiac care. We have found that most children in Africa are under-screened and underdiagnosed. Most countries in the continent lack the basic infrastructure and personnel to provide the required screening and surgical services for these children.

African children who get diagnosed with CHD typically get referred abroad to centres in India, UK and US for surgery. We have found that children who require open-heart surgery in Africa have higher mortality rates than other continents primarily because of the lack of services offered in Africa and lack of funds. Only a few families are able to afford the associated international costs while the other children lead to an untimely death.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

Hospitals for Humanity’s Pediatric Open-Heart Initiative is a comprehensive program aimed at achieving several critical objectives:

Our Strategic Process

Step 1: Identification and Screening

Screening Programs: We host screening programs across various locations to identify children with congenital heart defects.
Waiting List: Diagnosed children are placed on a waiting list for surgical intervention. Currently, over 1,500 children are awaiting surgery on our list.

Step 2: Pre-Surgical Evaluation

Comprehensive Evaluation: Confirmed cases undergo thorough pre-surgical evaluation, including blood tests, imaging studies, and consultations with cardiologists.
Family Counseling: We provide counseling for the families, explaining the surgical process, potential risks, benefits, and postoperative care requirements.

Step 3: Surgical Intervention

Medical Team: We assemble a skilled team of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff, including international experts who collaborate with local professionals.
Open-Heart Surgery: Patients are admitted to the hospital for preoperative preparation and tailored heart surgery. We currently have a 96% success rate on all surgeries performed.

Step 4: Postoperative Care

Intensive Care: After surgery, patients are moved to the ICU for close monitoring and care.
Follow-Up Care: HFH ensures comprehensive follow-up care, including regular check-ups, medication management, and rehabilitation services.
Family Support: Families receive ongoing support and education on post-surgery care, signs of complications, and the importance of follow-up appointments.

Step 5: Training and Capacity Building

Training Sessions: HFH conducts training sessions for local healthcare professionals to enhance their skills in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, postoperative care, and patient management.
Collaboration: International experts work closely with local surgeons and medical staff, providing hands-on training and sharing best practices.

Step 6: Infrastructure Development

Facility Upgrades: We collaborate with local healthcare institutions to upgrade existing facilities or establish new cardiac care units equipped with modern medical technology.

Step 7: Monitoring and Evaluation

Outcome Tracking: We track the outcomes of the surgeries, monitoring the health and progress of patients over time to evaluate the program's success and areas for improvement.
Reporting: We provide detailed reports to donors, partners, and stakeholders, showcasing the program's achievements, challenges, and future plans.

Children Screened & Diagnosed

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Years of Experience

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Open Heart Surgeries and Cardiac Catherization Performed

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Success Rate

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What we've done so far, with the support of donors like you!

Since 2014, Hospitals for Humanity (HfH) has been at the forefront of pediatric cardiac care in Nigeria, collaborating with a diverse team of medical professionals from around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries. Through our collective efforts, we have achieved significant milestones in our mission to provide life-saving interventions for children with congenital heart defects.

Our Accomplishments:

Screening and Diagnosis: Over the years, we have screened and diagnosed more than 1500 children across Nigeria, identifying those in urgent need of cardiac care and intervention.
Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeries: Through our Pediatric Open-Heart Initiative, we have performed over 145 free pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries and cardiac catheterizations in Nigeria. These complex procedures have been conducted with a remarkable success rate of 96%, demonstrating our commitment to delivering world-class care comparable to any first-class institution globally.

Our success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of both salaried and volunteer medical professionals who generously contribute their expertise and time to our cause. Together, we leverage a combination of clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care to transform the lives of children and families affected by congenital heart defects.

As we continue our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding access to quality cardiac care, advocating for the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, and fostering sustainable healthcare solutions within Nigeria and beyond. With your support, we can build upon our achievements and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their medical condition or socioeconomic status. Join us as we strive to make a lasting impact, one surgical procedure at a time.

Our Immediate Goals

Expand Access to Care

Over the next five years, our immediate goal is to perform yearly pediatric open-heart surgeries for 150 children with congenital heart defect in Nigeria. By significantly increasing the number of surgeries conducted annually, we seek to address the immense backlog of cases and provide timely interventions for those in need.

Skill & Knowledge Transfer

Central to our approach is the transfer of expertise from our US-based team of medical experts to local healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Through training, mentorship, and hands-on collaboration, we empower local medical staff to enhance their skills and capabilities in pediatric cardiac care, ultimately ensuring sustainability and self-sufficiency within the healthcare system.

Reach Vulnerable Children

We are committed to reaching the most vulnerable children, irrespective of their geographical location or financial means. Through our initiative, we aim to eliminate barriers to care and provide treatment to children and families in need, free of charge.

Community Awareness

Increasing awareness of CHD symptoms within communities is crucial for early detection and intervention. By educating caregivers, healthcare providers, and the general public about the signs and symptoms of CHD, we strive to facilitate early diagnosis and improve health outcomes for affected children.

Reduce Child Mortality

Ultimately, our overarching goal is to decrease the child mortality rate associated with CHD and contribute to the overall improvement of the Human Capital Index (HCI) in Nigeria. By providing timely and effective treatment, we aim to save lives, alleviate suffering, and enhance the well-being of children and families across the country.

Together, with your support and collaboration, we can make a profound difference in the lives of children affected by congenital heart defect, paving the way for a healthier and brighter future for generations to come. Join us in our mission to save little hearts and transform communities through compassionate care and unwavering dedication.

SAVE A LITTLE HEART TODAY

1000+ Children on our waiting list need you!

Currently, we maintain a rotating list of over 1000 children in our database who have tested positive for Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) and urgently require open-heart surgery. This list is dynamic, as sadly, at least one child on our list passes away each week.

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