Qatar Foundation Signs Agreement to Provide Treatment for Children with Heart Disease

Doha, March 19 (QNA) - Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the UK-based charity Chain of Hope that aims to provide quality medical treatment for children with heart disease. The MoU further illustrates the strategic partnership between Qatar Foundation and HMC, which is aimed at reaching out to the wider community. The project began more than three years ago and initially focused on providing much-needed medical help to children in Iraq. The MoU has expanded the scope of the project to include conflict zones across the region, with humanitarian assistance being an important element of the combined effort. The agreement will pave the way for 20 children with life-threatening cardiovascular birth defects and severe conditions to come to Qatar and receive world-class treatment from the paediatric cardiac surgery team at HMC under Sir Madgi Yacoub's leadership. The children will be identified through Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub s Chain of Hope international charity, whose work is informed by projects being undertaken by Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center. The signing ceremony took place at Qatar Foundation's headquarters and was attended by Dr Fathy Saoud, President of Qatar Foundation, Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director of Hamad Medical Corporation, and Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, President of the Chain of Hope charity. The three organisations have pledged to collaborate in order to achieve the best outcome for the young patients who come from developing countries and do not have access to such critical care. "The role that Qatar Foundation is playing in advancing medical care for these children represents the essence of our mission to secure a better life not only for the nation, but for the region, and the world. The wider population will undoubtedly benefit from these new available resources," explained Dr Saoud. "Healthy children are crucial for building the country s bright and prosperous future. We will continue to provide them with access to top-tier education and optimal health care so that they grow up to be the leaders of tomorrow." During the ceremony, Dr Al Kuwari expressed her appreciation for being able to provide corrective surgery and treatment to children who would have otherwise been deprived of the care they deserve. "Hamad Medical Corporation is proud to be working with Qatar Foundation and supporting Chain of Hope by enabling children with congenital heart disease and their families to come to Qatar and benefit from our life-saving care." Dr Abdulaziz Al Kulaifi, Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Heart Hospital, echoed these sentiments and explained the crucial role of universal healthcare in saving the lives of children. "As a surgeon, we know how important it is to receive the right care at the right time," he said. "This MoU will give more children an opportunity to gain access to critical cardiac care in a caring and supportive environment." Upon signing the agreement, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub said, "I am extremely grateful to our partners at HMC and Qatar Foundation, and in particular to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, whose enthusiastic support for this project has been instrumental in making it a reality." Dr Abdulla Al Ansari, Chairman of the Surgery Department at Hamad General Hospital said, "Hamad Medical Corporation has established itself as a leader in the region for cardiac surgery. Our Heart Hospital offers specialised surgery and treatment options and to be able to extend this to children who could not ordinarily access these services is a critical part of our community outreach." The Chain of Hope charity was set up by Sir Magdi Yacoub in 1995, with the dual aim of establishing high quality paediatric cardiac services in developing countries, and of providing children from disadvantaged backgrounds with life-saving specialist treatment in host countries. Three children have already received operations in Qatar under the programme. They are Mustapha Guennouni from Morocco, Armish Khan from Pakistan, and Fatima Saif from Yemen, who remains under the care of HMC's dedicated team of professionals. She will return home within the next couple of days. (END)