Kingston, Jamaica –Monday, December 2, 2024 – The Bustamante Hospital for Children
recently hosted a team of medical professionals from the Chain of Hope UK, who travelled to
Jamaica from November 18 to 22 to perform life-saving cardiac surgeries on children in need. Over the course of the week-long mission, the visiting team, alongside local specialists, successfully operated on seven children suffering from various congenital heart conditions.
Dr. Sherard Little, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Bustamante Hospital for
Children, led the surgical efforts, noting that the additional staff brought in by the visiting
team enabled the hospital to treat more patients than usual. "On a regular basis, we are able to perform one or two surgeries a week, but with the help of the Chain of Hope team, we were able to treat up to seven children in a single week," said Dr. Little.
The surgeries performed during the mission included the repair of ventricular septal defects, a common congenital heart condition, as well as more complex cases such as tetralogy of
Fallot. Dr. Little explained that while the goal of the surgeries is not always to quote" the heart entirely, the procedures significantly improve the children’s quality of life, allowing many of them to lead healthier, more active lives.
The mission has been in operation for over 20 years, with this year marking its 21 st .
Dr. Little highlighted that parents would often return to give their well wishes, despite
initially being hesitant about the surgery.
The visiting team’s contribution was invaluable, complementing the efforts of the local staff,
which includes cardiologists, surgeons, nurses, and intensive care specialists. The team
composition was tailored to the needs of the mission, which included anaesthetists,
perfusionists (who operate the heart-lung bypass machine), and ICU nurses, who helped
manage the children’s post-operative care.
Free Treatment for Children in Need
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Chain of Jamaica’s cardiac centre is its
commitment to providing free treatment. All surgeries and procedures are offered at no cost
to the families, ensuring that no child is turned away due to financial constraints. Whether it’s
a life-saving open-heart surgery or a less invasive cardiac catheterization, the centre offers the full spectrum of heart care needed to improve the health and quality of life of these children.
Referrals to the centre come from hospitals throughout the region, where paediatricians
identify children with congenital or acquired heart conditions. Once diagnosed, children are
placed on a treatment list and are evaluated by a medical committee, which prioritizes cases
based on the severity of each child’s condition.
The Cardiac mission was founded by an Egyptian Doctor, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub. His
vision stemmed from his observation that many children around the world were suffering
from heart disease, often with no access to treatment due to financial constraints. With this in mind, he established the Chain of Hope to offer a solution to this global challenge, focusing on children who could not afford the high costs associated with heart surgeries. Through partnerships with local hospitals and paediatric cardiologists, the charity has been able to offer world-class heart care to children from Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, and beyond.
Since its inception in 2007, the Chain of Jamaica’s cardiac centre has treated hundreds of
children born with heart conditions, offering hope and life-changing medical interventions that would otherwise be out of reach for many families.
Bustamante Hospital for Children is Jamaica’s national referral hospital for paediatric care,
offering specialized medical services for children with a range of conditions, including
congenital heart disease. The hospital works in collaboration with local and international
partners to improve the health and well-being of children across Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Photo 1: Dr. Sherard Little Cardiac Surgeon (first right) leads a dedicated team of medical
professionals in performing life-saving surgeries at Bustamante Children's Hospital. Pictured alongside him are Dr. Jason Blackstock, (right of Dr Little) Medical Officer & Cardiac Resident, (first left) is Dr. Kamille Goulbourne Anderson (Medical Officer & Cardiac Resident.), and to (her left) - Dr. Juanita Baxter (Medical Officer & Cardiac Resident), all committed to improving the health and well-being of children in need of cardiac care. Together, they continue to make a profound impact in the fight against heart disease in children.
Dr. Sherard Little Cardiac Surgeon at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
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