4-Year-Old Maryam’s Success Story
“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” – Henry Ward Beecher, Social Reformer
Since our inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have helped 3076 children get heart surgery. This is the #SuccessStory of 4-year-old Maryam, who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
ASD is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. The hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs. A large, long-standing ASD can damage both the heart and lungs.
After an intensive search for Maryam’s treatment, her family eventually found their way to Lahore. Maryam was suffering from the ill-effects of CHD and needed to be treated as soon as possible.
Maryam’s father, who works as a teacher and is a PhD holder, solely supports his entire family, which includes his wife and 2 children. He needed both financial support and access to the healthcare facilities required to save his daughter’s precious life. That is where we stepped in.
We provide the highest quality of care for children with heart disease, irrespective of their financial means. Every year, around 60,000 children are born with CHD in Pakistan, and a large majority of these children are unable to get the treatment required due to lack of facilities, personnel and high costs.
Dr. Salman A. Shah, a renowned American-board certified Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon and PCHF Medical Advisory Board Member, was the one who referred the family to us. After initial check-ups and consultations, it was decided that Maryam would need to undergo a procedure called an ASD Closure.
Our patient registration process is simple and swift. Maryam’s surgery was scheduled at our very own Cardiac Care Centre at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH), with Dr. Salman A. Shah to perform the surgery himself.
A brilliant team of healthcare professionals was alongside him and thanks to the incredible work ethic of the rest of the departments at our organization, all the preparations for the surgery were complete.
Maryam’s loved ones began praying incessantly for her. The hours that were to follow were unimaginably difficult for them. The precision and focus required for such a complex procedure means that the medical team needs to be at their absolute best.
Blessedly, after the heart surgery was complete, we were absolutely delighted to inform Maryam’s family that their prayers had been answered. Maryam’s surgery was a resounding success and she could now be called a ‘CHD Warrior’.
Maryam’s family members were delighted beyond measure. After years of uncertainty, they could now look forward to living a life filled with happy moments and feelings, love and laughter. Little Maryam herself was already dreaming about joining the police force when she grows up.
The entire family was eternally grateful. They could not praise us enough and felt that the facilities they were able to experience here were second to none. They especially thanked Dr. Salman A. Shah, who they called an angel in disguise.
For CHD affected families, no matter how hard things get, no matter how impossible things may seem, we are here for you. Our goal is to ensure that not a single child suffering from CHD in Pakistan remains untreated.
Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, is also alongside us on our journey to conquering CHD in Pakistan, by helping build the nation’s first dedicated, state-of-the-art Children’s Heart Hospital & Research Institute (CHHRI), as a PCHF Board Member.
You can also join us and donate towards children’s heart surgeries or hospital construction at:
#PlayYourPartSaveLittleHearts #MySecondInnings
#CHD #CHDAwareness #ConqueringCHD #1in100
#Hero4HeartKids #CHDCare4Life #ACHD
#Cardiology #Cardiovascular #Pediatric
