Israeli and African Doctors Unite to Save Children’s Lives

A groundbreaking medical mission is underway at Zambia’s National Heart Hospital in Lusaka, where a delegation of Israeli doctors is collaborating with African medical teams to perform life-saving heart surgeries on 25 children. Organized by the Israeli humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart, the mission runs from December 16-20 and underscores the transformative power of global partnerships in pediatric healthcare.

“We are delighted to welcome an international team to the National Heart Hospital,” said Dr. Chabwela Shumba, Senior Medical Superintendent at the hospital. “The exchange of knowledge and expertise is invaluable, and we sincerely thank Save a Child’s Heart for their commitment to training both our team and visiting professionals.”

This mission brings together a diverse team of cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, ICU specialists, technicians, and nurses. Among the leaders are Dr. Godwin Godfrey Sharau of Tanzania and Dr. Mudaniso Kumani Ziwa of Zambia, both trained in Israel through Save a Child’s Heart, alongside Dr. Lior Sasson, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Israel’s Wolfson Medical Center.

“Too many children in Africa suffer and die from treatable heart conditions,” said Dr. Sharau. “This mission brings hope by enabling us to save lives and share knowledge, ensuring that children in Zambia receive care closer to home.”

The mission involves not only open-heart surgeries but also advanced catheterization procedures, which repair heart defects without the need for invasive surgery. These techniques demonstrate the innovative approach Save a Child’s Heart brings to global pediatric care.

Dr. Lior Sasson reflected on the organization’s long-term impact: “It is incredibly rewarding to see the doctors we trained in Israel now leading life-saving missions and building sustainable cardiac care programs in their home countries. The ripple effect of their work extends far beyond Israel, creating a brighter future for children with heart disease around the world.”

Founded in 1995 at the Wolfson Medical Center, Save a Child’s Heart has saved the lives of over 7,000 children from 70 countries and trained more than 150 local healthcare professionals in Israel. Since 2017, the organization has worked closely with Zambia’s Ministry of Health, treating over 100 Zambian children and training numerous medical professionals.

Israeli Ambassador to Zambia, Ofra Farhi, hailed the mission as a testament to international cooperation. “This mission represents the best of humanitarian commitment. Israel’s dedication to training medical professionals and sharing expertise underscores our belief in the power of partnerships to create a healthier, more compassionate world.”

Dr. Shumba echoed this sentiment, highlighting the lasting impact of the collaboration: “This partnership is instrumental in building Zambia’s capacity to deliver world-class cardiac care and establish our center as a focal point in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

By saving lives and equipping local medical teams, this mission exemplifies the enduring impact of shared expertise and international solidarity.

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