Children's Heart- LIFE-SAVING CARDIAC SURGERY

On March 11th, 2020, the WHO declares the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the highest prevalence of Covid19 cases is detected in Europe and the US, and the MB volunteer health professionals are called upon to deal with the emergency in their own countries

To cope with the pandemic situation, Mission Bambini had to implement strategic changes, such as the reallocation and rationalization of resources, to pursue the expected results as much as possible, especially in terms of treated children, for example by increasing support to local partner hospitals. 

In the emergency phase, Mission Bambini took action also at a national level to support the Niguarda Hospital in Milan by providing:

• 16.000 FFP2 filter masks to medical and nursing health personnel involved in the management of patients affected by Covid19;
• 200 protective face shields intended for pediatric healthcare professionals.

in Myanmar, cardiac surgery was supported at the Yankin Children Hospital for 30 children with congenital heart defect

in Nepal, Mission Bambini financed the travel cost to Kathmandu for 20 children awaiting surgery, as well as room and board for the caregiver, for the entire duration of the hospital stay.

We also supported a medical camp of cardiological screening.

in Zimbabwe, we have supported the follow-up for about 70 children operated on in the past years, to constantly monitor drug therapy.

in Uganda, Mission Bambini supported the consumables cost for the heart surgery of 10 young patients.

A significantaspect of the “Children’sHeart” Program isthe training of localdoctors and healthpersonnnel.

The long termaim of the partnership with local hospitals is to reach the autonomy in treatingheartdiseases in children, raising the level and quality of the wholelocalsanitarysystem.

During surgery campsabroad, the selected local healthcare staff work alongside with the MB volunteerdoctors for the transfer of skills and

know-how.

To ensurecontinuity of the training activities, with the local hospitals the partnership is long-term and the surgerycamps are carried out twice a year.

The Multidisciplinary Specialist Training Program in CHD designed and implemented by MB in collaboration with the local Univerities of Medicine aims to enhance theoretical and technical competences of local healthcare staff, training future professionals to treatheartdiseases in children.

A team of volunteerinternationallecturerstake part to periodical training camps, in accordance with the local Hospitals and Universities.

The team of volunteerinternationallecturers follow the students during the academic year through a digital platform.

The Multidisciplinary Specialist Training Program included in the local university curricula, is formalized by the issue of an academic certificate.