Ramadan Success Story: A 4-Year-Old Whose Whole World Changed
“The soul is healed by being with children.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky, Novelist
Since our inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have helped 2791 children get heart surgery. This is the astounding success story of 4-year-old Ahmad, whose whole world changed.
Around 6 months after being born, little Ahmad was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) known as a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). This left his parents in a state of absolute shock. The doctors told them that surgery was not required immediately, however, soon a time would come when their little bundle of joy would need a life-saving heart surgery.
VSD, also known as a hole in the heart, is a common heart defect that’s present at birth. The hole occurs in the septum (wall) that separates the heart’s lower ventricles (chambers) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart. The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back to the lungs instead of out to the body, causing the heart to work harder.
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 the high costs involved. That is where we step in. We provide the highest quality of care for children with heart disease, irrespective of their financial means.
Recently, Ahmad’s health started deteriorating. After going through numerous trials and tribulations, Ahmad’s family brought him to us all the way from Rahim Yar Khan. A colleague of Ahmad’s father told them about the work that we do for children like Ahmad.
Ahmad’s father solely supports his whole family which includes his wife and 2 sons. He desperately needed financial support for his son’s surgery as the planned treatment, a VSD Closure, is a relatively expensive procedure.
After a swift registration process at our head office, Ahmad’s surgery was scheduled at our very own Cardiac Care Centre at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH). Dr. Salman Shah, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, was to perform the procedure.
From hospital to accommodation related formalities, we facilitated Ahmad and his family the best we could. Thankfully, with the incredible support of our donors, and Pakistan’s revolutionary health insurance initiative, the national Sehat Card, all the required funds were also arranged.
Blessedly, thanks to the prayers of his well-wishers and our remarkable team of healthcare professionals, the surgery turned out to be a massive success! After a few days in the hospital under special care, he was discharged as a ‘CHD Warrior’.
We made a real difference in the lives of Ahmad and his family, changing their whole world. Together, they can now live the life they always dreamed of. One filled with moments of pure joy.
1 in 100 children are born with CHD. If they get timely access to quality treatment, they can have a fair chance at living a normal life. These deserving children, who can help shape a brighter future for our country, vitally require your help and support.
Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, has also joined us on the journey to conquering CHD in Pakistan, by helping build the nation’s first dedicated, state-of-the-art Children’s Heart Hospital and Research Institute (CHHRI).
You can donate towards children’s heart surgeries or hospital construction at:
#PlayYourPartSaveLittleHearts #Ramadan #Zakat
#MySecondInnings #Donate #Charity #PCHF #CHHRI #CHD #Hajj
