Maheer’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have financially supported 4,650 child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 1-year-old Maheer, who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called Tetralogy Of Fallot (TOF).
In TOF, 4 related heart defects affect blood flow. In most cases, too little blood goes to the lungs. Low-oxygen blood then circulates to the rest of the body and not enough oxygen can reach body tissues. Children with TOF often have cyanosis, a blue or purple tint to the skin, lips and fingernails.
Born to a family based in Bahawalpur, Maheer’s birth was a moment of great joy for his parents and his sister. They all felt complete with Maheer now a part of their lives. However, that incomparable happiness, soon took a turn for the worst.
Soon after, Maheer’s health started deteriorating. He was having trouble consuming food and his parents also noticed that his fingernails were turning blue. Having no idea about what the cause was, they took him to a local doctor for a check-up. That is when an Echocardiography (ECHO) was recommended.
The results of this cardiac ultrasound revealed that Maheer had a life-threatening CHD which needed to be treated as soon as possible. This was extremely distressful news for the family. Having no time to dwell on their situation though, they were first told to go visit a doctor in Multan.
Not being able to secure treatment options there, they were then told to go to Lahore and visit Dr. Mohammad Asim Khan, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon. They managed to schedule a meeting during which they informed him that they would need financial support as well.
Maheer’s father is the sole breadwinner of the family and fortunately for him, he was referred to us, as Dr. Khan also happens to be a PCHF Medical Advisory Board Member. Being among the best organizations in the field of CHD, this was a life-altering point in his life and that of his family members.
They came to see us immediately and after assessing the case, Maheer’s surgery was scheduled at one of our partner hospitals, Ittefaq Hospital (Trust) Lahore. A world-class team of CHD healthcare professionals was on board.
Being blessed with a generous donor base, who we are grateful beyond measure to, we were able to arrange all of the required funds in practically no time. All other formalities, from accommodation to hospital arrangements, were also fully taken care of before Maheer’s heart surgery.
He was to undergo a procedure known as a Total Correction and his family was told that he was in the best of hands. They were constantly praying for everything to go well and hoped that Maheer would show the resilience of a true fighter.
Their prayers did not go unanswered. The surgery was a resounding success and Maheer was able to overcome CHD! He was now a ‘CHD Warrior’ with a completely normal life to look forward to.
As we broke the news to his family, they could not hide their emotions. They were full of praise for our team and hoped that one day Maheer would grow up to become a doctor to help people like we do. Gifted a second chance at happiness, they could not wait to make the most of it.
For CHD affected families, no matter how hard things get, no matter how impossible things may seem, we at PCHF – charity you can trust with all your heart, 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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