Twenty-five Rwandan children with heart conditions are receiving free heart surgery and treatment at King Faisal Hospital under a Rwanda–Israel medical mission, providing life-saving care that many families could not otherwise afford or access abroad. The week-long programme, which began on June 15, focuses on congenital and acquired heart diseases. It is led by Save a Child’s Heart (SACH), an Israeli humanitarian organisation specialising in paediatric cardiac care, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and King Faisal Hospital. At a press briefing on Monday, June 15, Dr. Augustin Sendegeya, Chief Medical Officer at King Faisal Hospital, said most of the children are undergoing catheterisation procedures. He explained that unlike open-heart surgery, catheterisation is less invasive and allows patients to return home within a day. Building local expertise in cardiac care Dr. Sendegeya said the mission goes beyond treatment, helping strengthen Rwanda’s capacity in specialised cardiac care through hands-on training with visiting experts. “This partnership is helping us treat patients and building the knowledge and experience of our team. That is important for the future of cardiac care in Rwanda,” he said. Parents express relief as children receives life-saving care at home Parents say the programme is already helping change lives. Josiane Murekatete, whose 10-year-old child underwent successful heart surgery and is now recovering well said the illness had affected her child’s growth and schooling. The child had been living with the condition for three years. “It is not easy to travel abroad for treatment. I would not have been able to afford it. It gives me joy knowing that we can access such treatment here in the country. I appreciate all the partners who made this possible,” she said. Strengthening local leadership in cardiac care SACH Executive Director Simon Fisher said the partnership is increasingly focused on building Rwanda’s long-term paediatric cardiac capacity. This year’s mission is being led by Dr. Gerard Misago, a Rwandan paediatric cardiologist trained in Israel in interventional procedures. Fisher also highlighted Dr. Jean de Dieu Nsanzimana, currently in training in Israel, who is expected to become Rwanda’s first independent paediatric cardiac surgeon. The visiting delegation includes Dr. Sivan Elkarat, Pediatric Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist; Svetlana Katsovich, Head Nurse of the Catheterisation Laboratory; Tal Sela, Radiology Technician; Hila Zana Shimon, Hemodynamic Technician; and Dr. Ziv Friedwald. According to Fisher, the programme benefits from Dr. Ejigu Mekonnen Yayehyirad, an Ethiopian cardiac surgeon trained through Save a Child’s Heart, who is supporting work at King Faisal Hospital while helping prepare for the programme’s next stage. He said the number of cardiac procedures carried out at the hospital continues to grow each year. The organisation supports the treatment of about 30 Rwandan children in Israel each year, in addition to hundreds treated in Rwanda. Fisher said the long-term goal is for all children with heart disease in Rwanda to be treated by Rwandan specialists. Long-term partnership, expanding global cooperation Save a Child’s Heart, marking 30 years of work this year, has treated more than 8,500 children from 75 countries. The partnership with Rwanda dates back about two decades and continues to show steady progress as more specialists are trained and services expand locally. Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, commended the organisation for changing the lives of children with heart conditions and helping Rwanda advance its cardiac care capacity. She said saving a child’s life has a lasting impact on families and communities. Having lived in Rwanda for more than three years, she said she has seen the efforts of Save a Child’s Heart, King Faisal Hospital and partners to reach more children. The ambassador said that one of the most important aspects of the programme is its investment in training Rwandan doctors, ensuring long-term sustainability of cardiac care, Weiss said Rwanda is expected to receive at least two, and possibly three, additional medical delegations from Israeli hospitals this year, boosting cooperation between the two countries in the health sector. Sport and recovery support Former NBA player Harold Keeling visited the children at King Faisal Hospital and joined them in basketball activities as part of emotional recovery support. He also donated basketballs, jerseys, and hats to encourage physical activity and wellbeing during recovery. He is expected to lead a basketball clinic on June 17 in Ntarama, Bugesera, under the Project Maxinitiative promoting health awareness and inclusion. Key impact since 2023 Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2023, the partnership between Save a Child’s Heart and the Government of Rwanda has delivered lifesaving cardiac care to 527 Rwandan children, including 21 treated in Israel, 48 during visiting missions, and 458 treated locally at King Faisal Hospital. More than $1.5 million has been invested in strengthening paediatric cardiac services through training, equipment, ICU upgrades, and medical missions.
