7 children from Gaza receive life-saving heart surgery in Jordan

This February, Chain of Hope returned to Jordan for another life-saving cardiac mission, dedicated to mending the hearts of seven Gazan children through urgent specialist treatment at Jordan University Hospital.

Led by Chain of Hope Trustee and Volunteer Cardiac Surgeon Professor Victor Tsang, alongside his extraordinary team of Medical Volunteers, the mission delivered critical heart surgery and procedures to children from Gaza who otherwise would not have had access to the care they desperately needed.

Working in partnership with Gift of Life International, the team carried out a range of highly complex congenital heart procedures, transforming the futures of these children and their families.

FATHI

Eight-month-old Fathi from Gaza was among the first children treated during the mission. He underwent surgery to repair Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a serious congenital heart condition made up of four structural abnormalities within the heart.

The operation, carried out by Professor Victor Tsang and Surgeon Dr Michael Oketcho, successfully restored healthy blood flow to Fathi’s lungs and body. Following surgery, he recovered beautifully with support from our Medical Volunteers at Jordan University Hospital.

LEA

Three-month-old Lea from Gaza underwent a highly complex procedure for Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage (TAPVD), a congenital defect where the pulmonary veins connect to the wrong side of the heart.

Without treatment, the condition prevents oxygen-rich blood from circulating properly around the body.

Lea’s operation marked a significant milestone as it was the first TAPVD procedure ever conducted at Jordan University Hospital. Thanks to the expertise of Chain of Hope’s Medical Volunteers, Lea recovered well following surgery.

ROSE

Ten-month-old Rose from Gaza underwent surgery to repair an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a hole in the wall separating the heart’s upper chambers.

The defect caused oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, placing strain on her heart and lungs.

Thankfully, Rose’s surgery was successful, and she recovered well. Her future is brighter thanks to the commitment of Chain of Hope’s Medical Volunteer team and the generosity of supporters helping make these missions possible.

MARYAM

One-year-old Maryam travelled from Iraq after being diagnosed with a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole between the lower chambers of the heart that causes the heart and lungs to work much harder than normal.

Her operation was a success thanks to the dedication and expertise of Professor Victor Tsang and our Medical Volunteers.

Maryam can now look forward to a healthier future with her family.

Other Hearts Mended

Several other children also received life-saving treatment during this mission:

Salam from Gaza underwent surgery to treat a sub-aortic obstruction, a narrowing beneath the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart.
Ibtihayi, aged four months, underwent Pulmonary Artery Banding (PA banding), a procedure designed to reduce excessive blood flow to the lungs.
Retan, aged one, underwent Tetralogy of Fallot repair surgery to correct multiple structural defects in the heart.

Chain of Hope also extends special thanks to Children Not Numbers for supporting the safe evacuation of these children from Gaza so they could access urgent medical treatment in Jordan.

Every mission is only possible because of the compassion of our Medical Volunteers and generous donors who believe every child deserves the chance of a healthy future.

Email oroyo@chainofhope.org if you would like to make a donation to help save more lives.

Together, we are mending little hearts.

Categories: Overseas Updates, Children, Press