Children heart center to be opened

 By Selome Kifle

 Out of 1,000 infants born, it is estimated that six are born with congenital heart disease internationally, but in the case of Ethiopia out of the total almost 50,000 infant are born with the disease. This was told at a press conference organized by the Children's Heart Fund of Ethiopia at the compound of the Black Lion Hospital on Friday, January 28.

Yemaneh Bisrat, vice president of the Children's Heart Fund of Ethiopia, disclosed that due to throat infection and other related problems the number of infants who develop heart problem after they are born healthy (acquired heart disease) reaches 100 annually.

Yemaneh added that for the last fourteen years the center has reached out to a number of children and helped them live healthy lives again. He also noted that since 2003 the center has achieved most of its plans. "We have implemented several projects, especially the center’s plan to construct a cardiac center inside the compound of the Black Lion Hospital with a total cost of 12 million birr," he said.

He added that the US-based Healing the Children has promised the Children's Heart Fund of Ethiopia 70 to 80 million birr worth supply of machines and training for the staff of the future cardiac center.

On the conference, it was stated that the surgical treatment of heart disease costs nearly USD 20,000 per patient and asks for highly trained professionals, technically advanced medical equipment and cardiac surgery facilities, all of which are not available in Ethiopia.  

Yemisrach Atnafu, Public Relation and Fund Raising Officer at the Children's Heart Fund of Ethiopia, told Capital that the major aim of the press conference is to inform the society how much the center needs their contribution. "In the previous years the center used to organize special fund raising programs, but now we want the whole public to get involved in saving these vulnerable children," she added pointing out that they are also planning to launch a ‘One birr for one heart’ fund raising campaign, soon.

In addition, she noted, until now the center had saved 1,000 children’s lives by sending them abroad to England, Germany, India, Israel and the USA, to be treated.

The Children's Heart Fund of Ethiopia is a non-governmental, non-profit making, specialized and charitable organization committed to help children with cardiac problems. Its objective is saving the lives of children at risk all over the country. Currently the center has nearly 30 people working for it, of which ten are employed and the remaining are volunteers working part time.