UAE’s ‘Little Hearts’ Campaign Launches Medical Initiative in Damascus
The Sharjah Charity International, a humanitarian organization from the United Arab Emirates, is continuing its “Little Hearts” campaign in the Syrian capital, Damascus. This medical initiative is being carried out in close cooperation with the Cardiac Surgery University Hospital, which operates under the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The campaign aims to provide essential medical care to children and patients suffering from heart defects and diseases. These services, which include free surgical operations and medical interventions, are being performed by a specialized medical team that traveled from the UAE specifically for this mission.
Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, a member of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Charity International, stated in a press briefing that the current phase of the campaign focuses on performing 35 surgeries for critical cases requiring urgent intervention. He noted that these procedures began last Saturday. Al Suwaidi emphasized that this campaign is part of a long-standing commitment to humanitarian work; since 2009, the organization has successfully performed over 1,500 open-heart and catheterization surgeries across several countries.
The UAE Ambassador to Damascus, Hamad Rashid bin Alwan Al Habsi, noted that the initiative is being conducted under the direct supervision of the Emirati Embassy. He described the campaign as a reflection of the deep brotherly ties between the Syrian and Emirati people. The Ambassador added that the effort helps alleviate the healthcare burden on Syrian families, enabling children to recover, resume their normal daily activities, and return to their studies.
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Soufi, a consultant for cardiology and catheterization at Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai, highlighted the advanced technology utilized during the campaign. He pointed to a specialized intervention involving the implantation of a pulmonary valve via catheterization. Dr. Al-Soufi explained that this procedure represents a breakthrough in interventional cardiology, as it spares the patient from undergoing open-heart surgery for a third time, thereby offering new possibilities for treating congenital heart defects with lower risks.
Beneficiary families have expressed their gratitude for the initiative. Hanan Al-Sarhan, the mother of a child who received a catheterization procedure, stated that the campaign provided essential specialized care and relieved a significant financial burden on her family.
Looking toward the future, the administration of Sharjah Charity International confirmed its readiness to continue supporting humanitarian cases in Syria. The organization noted that there are more than 2,000 children currently in need of cardiac interventions. Furthermore, the organization is studying ways to increase the capacity of Syrian hospitals to enhance the delivery of services in the fields of health, education, and housing.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
