Ahmed’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF) have helped fund 4169 life-saving child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 2-year-old Ahmed, who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).
PDA is an unclosed hole in the aorta. The Ductus Arteriosus is a hole that allows the blood to skip the circulation to the lungs. When a baby is born, the blood must receive oxygen in the lungs and this hole is supposed to close. If it is still open, the blood may skip this necessary step of circulation.
At the time of Ahmed’s birth, like all other parents, Ahmed’s parents were also overjoyed. He was like the shining light of their lives. A few months later though, they started noticing certain signs and symptoms which they thought should be checked by a doctor.
They took him to a local doctor in their home city of Sargodha, not knowing that their lives were about to change drastically. After a complete medical check-up which included an Echocardiography (ECHO), a cardiac ultrasound, the devastating news was delivered to the family.
The results revealed that little Ahmed had a life-threatening CHD and needed treatment as soon as possible. His parents were also informed about the expected cost of the treatment and that further derailed their lives as they found it unaffordable for them.
Ahmed’s father is a labourer who solely supports his whole family, which includes his wife and 3 children. He was in desperate need of financial support and after thoroughly searching for options, he finally got introduced to our organization.
He made his way to Lahore with his family as quickly as he could and met with our team. He told us that he could arrange a small part of the required funds but needed support for the rest.
When it comes to treating children born with CHD and saving their precious lives, we are among the best organizations in the country. This would not be possible though without our immensely supportive and generous donors, both organizations and individuals alongside us on our journey.
They are the reason why we were swiftly able to arrange funds for Ahmed’s heart surgery. Once all hospital and accommodation related formalities were also taken care of, the surgery was scheduled at one of our partner hospitals, the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH).
A world-class team of CHD healthcare professionals was on board to carry out the intricate procedure which is known as PDA Ligation. As Ahmed was going in for surgery, his family was provided reassurance that in terms of preparation, everything possible had been done and all they had to do now was pray.
The treatment lasted for a few hours, which were undoubtedly the hardest of their lives. Once it was complete though and Ahmed’s fight against CHD was done, our team was delighted to inform the Ahmed’s loved ones that the surgery was a resounding success!
Ahmed was now a ‘CHD Warrior’ who could live a completely normal life like all the other children around him. Hope was restored for his family members, who were all grateful beyond measure and following their experience with us, which they were tremendously satisfied with, wished us continued success.
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 born with CHD in Pakistan remains untreated.
Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, is also alongside us on our journey to conquering CHD, by helping build the nation’s first dedicated Children’s Heart Hospital & Research Institute, as a PCHF Board Member.
You can join us as well and donate towards child heart treatment or hospital construction. Together, let’s do our utmost to save young lives and help shape a brighter future. Play your part, save little hearts: https://pchf.org.pk/donate/
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