Maqsood Elahi
Cardiac Eye International Foundation, USA
Title: Cardiac surgery for communities in need - meeting the continuous challenges for delivering new models of global humanitarian health programs
Biography
Biography: Maqsood Elahi
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out of a thousand surviving neonates at least eight presents congenital heart diseases. The National Health Organization states annually that between 6000-7000 patients undergo surgical intervention in order to correct acquired and congenital cardiac defects each year, yet only a tiny fraction of patients without health insurance are fortunate enough to be operated in hospitals associated to health insurance companies each year in third world countries. With the primary aim of participating in philanthropic activities that focused on addressing health needs for children on long waiting lists for surgical intervention, we put together a multi-disciplinary team through an umbrella organization called Cardiac Eye International Foundation (CEIF). Initially, we sought to provide free diagnostic and surgical operational assistance to non-affording patients with congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease. Very soon it became clear that CEIF would achieve tangible solutions if we could focus our efforts on improving access to quality pediatric and adult cardiac care by helping to develop from the ground cardiac programs in areas of need as sustainable centers of excellence. We then worked in collaboration with many other dedicated medical volunteers from around the world (Australia, Chile, United Kingdom, Kenya, United States and Pakistan), as well as other organizations to provide free complex heart surgeries, training, mentoring, capacity building, opportunities that are designed to meet the inimitable needs of our partner sites.