Children's HeartLink Sends Medical Team To Kuala Lumpur In Malaysia

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Aid / Disasters;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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One in 100 children around the world is born with congenital heart disease. In developed countries, children are diagnosed and treated at birth. Children's HeartLink is reaching out and helping build sustainable pediatric cardiac programs in the underserved regions of the world, giving hundreds and thousands of children the same opportunity.

Beginning April 20, Children's HeartLink, an international medical nonprofit, will be sending a team of volunteers from the United Kingdom on a cardiac medical mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the United Kingdom, to provide advanced training and participate in lifesaving operations on needy children.

The mission to the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara) includes a group of physicians, nurses, technicians and volunteers from Birmingham Children's Hospital in the United Kingdom led by pediatric cardiac surgeon, David Barron, M.D. The team will be providing valuable training and teaching to the local cardiac medical staff, and screening and treating patients.

The current visit will be the first time Children's HeartLink has supported a full cardiac team visit to the National Heart Institute. Children's HeartLink's overall goal for this mission is to support the collaboration with the IJN to advance their pediatric cardiac program and regional center role; will to treat needy children suffering from heart disease and identify future priorities for assistance. These objectives are reflective of the mission of Children's HeartLink to enhance and sustain pediatric cardiac diagnostic, treatment and prevention services for the benefit of children at risk from heart disease.

"Children's HeartLink is committed to improving the lives of children suffering from heart disease around the world," said John Cushing, International Programs Director of Children's HeartLink. With this new partnership, "Dr. David Barron and his team will be collaborating with Dr. Mohd Azhari Yakub and his team to treat needy children while sharing knowledge and skills for the benefit of more children in the future."

. About Children's HeartLink

Children's HeartLink, founded in Minneapolis in 1969, is an international medical charity dedicated to the treatment and prevention of heart disease in needy children.

Children's HeartLink works in partnership with hospitals in developing countries to provide surgery, education and training for medical professionals, technical assistance, rheumatic fever prevention programs and donated equipment and supplies.

The goal of Children's HeartLink is to help improve existing cardiac programs in underdeveloped countries so that they are more empowered to care for children in their own region with consistent, quality and sustainable services. Children's HeartLink currently works with hospitals in Kenya, India, China, Costa Rica, Ukraine, Malaysia, Ecuador and South Africa.

www.childrensheartlink.org