Doctors for Healthy Communities recently donated to the continuing support of congenital heart disease treatment in Pakistan via the PCHF.
The Pakistan Children Heart Foundation (PCHF) was started by Farhan Ahmad in 2009. PCHF is a non-profit organization run by a board of directors and medical advisory board. They are registered as 501-C(3) in the USA. Their mission is “To establish a state of the art medical facility that provides the highest quality of care for children with heart disease, irrespective of their financial means. To act as a model institute, for the training of healthcare professionals, education of the public at large and promote research into the causes and management of congenital heart disease.”
Pakistan is the fifth largest country in the world with a population of just over 200 million.
There are approximately 5 million children born per year, and out of them about 40,000 to 50,000 have some form of congenital heart disease. Out of them, approximately 25% need immediate surgery.
One open heart surgery cost approx 450,000 Pakistan rupees or approx $4,500.
There are only five centers in Pakistan who perform infant heart surgery.
Above, from left to right: Dr. Zaka Khan, Founder of PCHF Farhan Ahmed, Former International Cricket Star Misbah-ul-Haq, Dr. Muhammad Babar, Dr. Salman Shah, Dr. Waqar Saleem and Dr. Tahir Raza.
