Physical Health Uganda Project #41362

Children's Heart- LIFE-SAVING CARDIAC SURGERY

by Mission Bambini

Children's Heart- LIFE-SAVING CARDIAC SURGERY

Project Report | May 13, 2025
Mission to Zambia - March 2025: a New Hospital

By Beatrice Parmigiani | Project Coordinator

Medical team with a little patient

Congenital heart defects are one of the leading causes of infant mortality worldwide. It is estimated that 8 out of every 1,000 children are born with a heart defect that, in many cases, requires timely surgical intervention to ensure survival and a healthy future. In low-resource settings such as Zambia, these conditions can be fatal. In 2020, the country recorded an infant mortality rate of 56 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest globally. Congenital heart diseases contribute significantly to this alarming figure.

The situation is further complicated by a critical shortage of specialized medical personnel, particularly pediatric cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists trained in complex procedures, and perfusion technicians. Even when a diagnosis is made, access to treatment remains limited due to a lack of resources and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. These challenges underscore the urgent need for international cooperation in pediatric cardiac care.

In response, Mission Bambini carried out a surgical health mission from March 22 to 30, 2025, as part of its Cuore di bimbi ("Children’s Hearts") program, which has been working since 2005 to save the lives of children with congenital heart defects in low-income countries. This mission took place in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, at the National Heart Hospital, a facility strategically located near the city's international airport.

This mission marked a crucial new chapter in Mission Bambini’s partnership with Zambia: after nine previous missions carried out between 2016 and 2019 at another local hospital, the 2025 mission re-launched the collaboration, this time with a new partner hospital capable of supporting more structured and long-term interventions.

The Italian team consisted of 11 highly skilled professionals: 5 medical staff (2 cardiac surgeons, 2 anesthesiologists, and 1 cardiologist), and 4 technical staff (2 perfusionists and 2 specialized nurses), accompanied by 2 people from the logistics and coordination team.

During the five days of surgical activity (Monday through Friday), the team successfully operated on 7 children, most of whom were affected by Tetralogy of Fallot, one of the most complex and common cyanotic congenital heart defects. All surgeries were conducted in close collaboration with local medical staff and were clinically successful: every child was extubated post-surgery, a strong indicator of the mission’s quality and effectiveness.

In parallel, medical supplies worth €8,000 were donated to National Heart Hospital of Lusaka. These included consumables, equipment, and essential drugs to support the hospital’s cardiac program beyond the mission itself.

Beyond life-saving surgeries, this mission served as an opportunity to train and empower local healthcare professionals. Working side-by-side with the Italian team, Zambian doctors, anesthetists, and nurses gained valuable experience in complex cardiac procedures, laying the groundwork for increased local autonomy in the future.

Thanks to the excellent collaboration and the strong commitment of the local partner, this first mission at National Heart Hospital of Lusaka laid the foundation for a long-term partnership. Planning is already underway for future missions in 2026, following the Cuore di bimbi model of combining direct care with capacity building through on-site training.

Thanks to this mission, seven Zambian children now have a renewed chance at life, and many more will be able to receive life-saving treatment in the years ahead. This is a tangible step forward toward a future where no child dies from a treatable heart condition.

A little patient being examined

Medical team during surgery

The Italian and Zambian team

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Jan 14, 2025
Mission Bambini Medical Camp at the St. Clelia School in Kitang, Uganda

By Tidy Minghetti | Project coordinator

Mission Bambini’s involvement in the field of Health abroad began in 2000, in synergy with the
projects supported in the field of Education: the aim is to guarantee an adequate level of mental
and physical well-being to the same children who have been placed on an educational program.
Since 2005, the Foundation has also been engaged in the world’s poorest countries with projects
to save the lives of children with heart disease and improve the health of the population by
supporting local hospitals and nursing staff. To save the lives of children with heart disease who, if
not operated on in their early years, risk death or serious development problems as they grow up.
Some important milestone:

22,714 CHILDREN WITH HEART DISEASE TREATED
including 2,330 who underwent surgery and 20,384 who were examined.
498 TRAINED LOCAL DOCTORS who independently performed 60 percent of surgical procedures.

From November 16th to November 23rd, 2024, Mission Bambini conducted a preventive
medical camp at the St. Clelia School in Kitanga, Uganda, in the district of Kabale.St. Clelia
School and Mission Bambini
Mission Bambini has been supporting the St. Clelia School for over 20 years, contributing to
the construction of several school buildings and financing educational activities. The school
provides access to quality education and offers four daily meals to over 900 students aged
from 2 to 16 years, ensuring both their academic and nutritional needs are covered.
St. Clelia is ranked among the top 15 primary schools nationwide in Uganda, according to
the government’s ranking. The school also includes a Pre-primary section that
accommodates children aged 2 to 5 years. These younger students also benefitted from the
medical screening camp conducted by Mission Bambini.
Medical Team
The medical team consisted of two cardiologists (one specializing in pediatric cardiology)
and one pediatrician, who conducted in-depth medical examinations for all children. They
were supported by two staff members from Mission Bambini who coordinated logistics,
medication supplies, on-site equipment, and follow-up care for the children.
Screening Process
Over 1,000 children (including approximately 900 St. Clelia students aged 2 to 16

years) underwent measurements of weight, height, BMI, temperature, and blood
pressure.
Every child received a thorough cardiac examination using two portable echography
devices brought by the volunteer medical team.
Oral examinations and further diagnostic evaluations were provided for children
displaying symptoms of concern.
Training Local Personnel
Approximately 11 local professionals, including nurses, doctors, and technicians, received
on the job training from the Mission Bambini team. This training focused on using diagnostic
equipment and performing comprehensive health assessments.
Outcomes
Over 1,000 children were screened, including 900 students from the St. Clelia School.
Two children were identified as needing pediatric cardiac surgery. Through Mission Bambini&#39;s
long-standing collaboration with the Uganda Heart Institute in Kampala, these surgeries will be
performed locally by a team trained with Mission Bambini ‘support.

#cuoredibimbi #missionbambini #missionbambiniswitzerland #

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Sep 16, 2024
Children's Heart Program achieved remarkable milestone

By Tidy Minghetti | Project coordinator

CHILDRE'S HEART PROGRAM:UPDATE

The "Children's Heart Program" (Cuore di Bimbi), is one of the most significant and emblematic initiatives undertaken by Mission Bambini. Its primary objective is to provide vital care for children suffering from congenital heart disease (CHD), a condition that, if left untreated, can be life-threatening.

In many low- and middle-income countries, healthcare systems are often severely under-resourced, making access to specialized medical care a rare commodity. This scarcity leads to a troubling reality: congenital heart disease frequently goes undiagnosed or untreated, causing preventable deaths that disproportionately affect children. Mission Bambini's approach is designed to directly address this gap through a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy grounded in three core pillars: providing life-saving cardiac surgeries, building local medical capacity, and preventing rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

At the heart of the program is its commitment to performing life-saving cardiac surgeries for children in need. However, the impact of the initiative extends far beyond immediate treatment. A critical component of the program is the investment in capacity building, which involves training local healthcare professionals—including surgeons, cardiologists, and other medical staff—in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric heart conditions. This focus on education and skills transfer ensures that over time, partner hospitals in these regions are empowered to independently manage cases of congenital heart disease, promoting the long-term sustainability of local healthcare systems.

Moreover, the program includes a crucial precautionary dimension, with an emphasis on preventing rheumatic heart disease (RHD). In countries such as Eritrea, where the risk of RHD is particularly high, early detection and prevention initiatives are essential. Through targeted screening programs aimed at children aged 6 to 10, Mission Bambini works to identify at-risk children early on, providing them with the care they need to avoid the onset of RHD and other related complications.

Collaboration with local governments plays an essential role in the program's success, as these partnerships help to ensure the continuity and expansion of healthcare services. By working hand-in-hand with national and regional authorities, Mission Bambini is able to create lasting change, building a foundation for a healthier future for children in these countries.

In 2023, the "Children’s Heart Program" (Cuore di Bimbi), achieved remarkable milestones. A total of 173 children underwent life-saving surgeries, providing them with a new chance at life. Additionally, 7,988 children were screened for heart conditions across 13 projects in six different countries: Eritrea, Uganda, Nepal, Kosovo, Albania, and Italy. These achievements reflect the wide-reaching impact of the program and highlight Mission Bambini’s unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of children in need.

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