16 young lives saved in 2nd paediatric cardiac mission for 2025

Sixteen children living with life-threatening heart conditions are now on the road to recovery following a week of life-saving surgeries and procedures at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

From August 4 to 8, GPHC, in collaboration with the US-based non-profit Gift of Life International (GOLI), carried out its second paediatric cardiac mission for the year—bringing renewed hope to families and advancing local cardiac care.

The initiative brought together local specialists and a 25-member international team led by renowned paediatric cardiac surgeon Dr Rodrigo Soto. Working side by side, they performed 10 cardiac catheterisations and six open-heart surgeries, directly treating young patients born with congenital heart disease.

In addition to surgical interventions, the visiting and local teams conducted comprehensive paediatric cardiology screenings for 80 children. These screenings identified urgent cases for immediate care, flagged others for future treatment, and provided reassurance to families whose children required no further procedures.

The success rate was immediate—13 of the 16 children have already been discharged from hospital, with the remaining three expected to go home in the coming days.

Beyond saving lives, the collaboration placed strong emphasis on building Guyana’s capacity for paediatric cardiac care. Through mentorship, hands-on training, and skills transfer, local doctors, nurses, and support staff strengthened their expertise, paving the way for more children to receive advanced treatment without having to travel overseas.

“The GOLI–GPHC partnership continues to transform lives while building local expertise,” said Dr Sara Singh, Head of GPHC’s Paediatric Department. “Our shared commitment is to ensure that every child in Guyana with a heart condition has access to the care they need, right here at home.”

This latest mission is part of an ongoing programme launched between GPHC and GOLI to address the urgent need for paediatric cardiac services in Guyana. The third and final mission for 2025 is scheduled for December 6–16, when the team will once again return to deliver life-changing treatment and expand opportunities for children to live healthy, fulfilling lives.