A terrified, skinny boy arrived at the hospital. The cardiologist from Benghazi is looked at his heart, recommending urgent surgery. “Ramadan, will you let them operate on you?” The 14 year-old has heard this question again and again for the past seven years. “Will you accept?” His answer is always the same: “No.” Fatherless and culturally an …
The recent earthquake in Ecuador has devastated the country, the death toll rises each day and thousands of people are injured and homeless. We at Cardiac Alliance want to extend our sympathy and support to our friends and colleagues who are working to alleviate the suffering caused by this tragedy. As aid pours into the …
Every year in Libya, an estimated 400 – 600 babies are born whose tiny little hearts need medical care—and often surgery—within the first year of life. Babies just like Taleen. Precision is vital in any heart surgery. But when the patient is a baby, the stakes are even higher… and the margin of error slimmer. …
Before & After: Taleen’s Surgery Made All The Difference! Read More »
Dr. Wejdan is one of the incredible Libyan surgeons we are helping train in Libya. When she was just 5 years old, she told her mother she wanted to be a heart surgeon someday. Her mother had no idea that her daughter even knew what a surgeon was! Dr. Rasmia didn’t intend to become a doctor: “My teacher in …
No Boys’ Club—Meet The Strong Libyan Doctors We’re Training Read More »
As soon as Muttah woke up after his heart surgery, he squawked from morning till night. He repeated the same motion over and over, throwing his little hands over his head, then back down to his sides. Over and over, for hours at a time. If Muttah wasn’t sleeping or eating he was squawking and flapping. …
3 Kids In The ICU: Same Surgery, VERY Different Needs Read More »
Teaching and learning is woven into every part of surgical missions. It begins first thing each day with morning rounds. Cardiologists, surgeons, intensivists (critical care doctors, trained to treat the most critical patients), intensive care nurses—international and local—collaborate on diagnoses and treatment strategies for each patient. Throughout the day, local staff are trained by our team …
Teaching International Best Practices All Over The World Read More »
It was a small news article, easy to miss. Turkish hospitals and hotels are refusing to receive any new patients from Libya. The debt has grown too high, as Turkish hospitals treated more than 8,000 Libyans sent to them for care, and the bills have not been paid. Why are so many Libyans sent out of …
We Are Making A Real Difference In Libya—Join Us! Read More »
From the moment a trip begins, precise preparations for every operation begin: instruments are sterilized, equipment is checked, hands are washed, surgical gowns and masks are secured, lights are adjusted—each in a very particular way. When the patient is ready, surgeons open the chest, assess the exact nature of every heart defect, make each delicate stitch …
Today (March 21st) has been dedicated as World Down’s Syndrome day by the United Nations. Nearly half of all children born with Down’s Syndrome will have a heart defect as well. The Novick Cardiac Alliance is committed to bringing sustainable health care solutions to all children with cardiac disease in the developing world. “Persons with …
Dear Friend, February is Heart Awareness Month and February 7th through Valentine’s Day is Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week. The birth of a new baby is a joyous and challenging event and so is the birth of a new organization to help children with heart defects. We are asking for your help so we can …
