Two Missions, 27 hearts mended: Chain of Hope in Ethiopia

So far this year, Chain of Hope has carried out two vital cardiac missions in Ethiopia, treating a total of 27 children suffering from heart disease at the Cardiac Centre Ethiopia.

Although each mission focused on different conditions and treatments, both shared the same goal: mending little hearts and giving children hope.

From complex valve replacement surgeries in February to life-changing catheterisation procedures in April, these missions were made possible through the dedication of our Medical Volunteer teams, local healthcare professionals, and generous supporters.

Ethiopia Medical Volunteer team February 2026

Ethiopia Mission February 2026

Treating Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease

The first Ethiopia mission of 2026 took place in February and was led by Dr Hasnat Khan, assisted by Dr Alessia Rossi on her first Chain of Hope mission.

This specialist mission focused on treating children suffering from Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease - a serious condition that can permanently damage the heart valves if left untreated. Patients required complex surgical procedures including:

Mitral valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement
Combined aortic and mitral valve replacement

The February mission successfully treated seven children and also welcomed five new Medical Volunteers.

Hearts Mended in February

Among the children treated were:

Etenesh underwent a mitral valve replacement
Makbel aged 11 underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery
Gemet aged 12 received a mitral valve replacement
Abdi underwent an aortic valve replacement
Wondesen underwent an aortic valve replacement
Telile underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery

These operations represented not only life-saving operations, but also renewed hope for these children and their families.

Ethiopia Mission April 2026

20 Little Hearts Mended

In April 2026, Chain of Hope returned to Ethiopia for a catheterisation mission led by Professor Sir Shakeel Qureshi at the Cardiac Centre Ethiopia.

Our team of Medical Volunteers worked alongside the local cardiac team to treat children suffering from congenital heart diseases. During the mission, 20 procedures were successfully completed.

Mera

One of the children treated on the April mission was nine-year-old Mera who underwent an ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) closure procedure. An ASD is a hole between the upper chambers of the heart that allows oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. Thanks to the expertise of the Medical team, Mera’s catheterisation procedure was successful, and she was able to leave hospital healthy and smiling.

Ebisa

One-year-old Ebisa underwent treatment for Supra-Valvar Pulmonary Stenosis, a condition that restricts blood flow from the heart to the lungs and places strain on the heart. Ebisa's procedure performed by Professor Sir Shakeel Qureshi and Dr Anna Danel was successful, and her heart was mended.

Maya

Five-year-old Maya underwent a successful procedure for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect where a fetal blood vessel fails to close after birth. Following treatment, Maya was able to return home to her family.

Chain of Hope Medical Volunteer team in Ethiopia April 2026

Other children treated during the mission included:

Dagmawit
Daniel
Abduhrahman
Rafael
Amen
Tsion
Yostina
Biruk

Chain of Hope thanks its Medical Volunteer teams, local healthcare staff, and generous supporters who made both Ethiopia missions possible and helped to mend 27 little hearts. Their dedication continues to help mend little hearts.

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