Extremely complex heart surgeries for 15 Sri Lankan children performed by foreign doctors who arrived at Karapitiya Hospital.

A team of foreign specialist doctors is currently performing a series of free surgeries at the Karapitiya National Hospital in Galle to save the lives of 15 Sri Lankan children suffering from extremely complex heart diseases that are difficult to treat surgically in this country. This medical team, belonging to the charity 'Take Heart Mercy Mission', is carrying out this complex operation in collaboration with local medical professionals.

Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni visited Karapitiya Hospital on the 22nd to inspect these surgeries and related medical activities. During his visit, the Deputy Minister observed the pediatric intensive care unit and also witnessed a heart surgery in progress. Members of the foreign medical team briefed him on the recovery status of the children who had undergone complex surgeries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Minister pointed out that although local doctors have the ability to correctly diagnose these extremely complex heart conditions, they faced various difficulties in providing the necessary surgical treatments within the country. However, he emphasized that such timely surgical interventions can completely change the lives of sick children and have a significant positive impact on their families.

The 'Take Heart Mercy Mission' organization, which started 23 years ago, is a charity dedicated to saving the lives of Sri Lankan children born with congenital heart defects. Their international team, comprising specialist doctors, nurses, and technicians, annually visits Karapitiya Hospital and provides these life-saving treatments free of charge in collaboration with the local health staff. This program does not impose any financial burden on the government, and all expenses for the surgeries and the supply of necessary medical equipment are borne by the charity itself. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister confirmed that this program operates in accordance with Sri Lankan laws and with all necessary approvals.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that one complex heart tissue transplant surgery was also successfully performed using tissues provided by the Ministry of Health's tissue bank. In addition to saving the lives of children, Mr. Wijemuni further stated that this program provides an excellent opportunity for Sri Lankan medical professionals to gain practical experience, technical knowledge, and specialized skills in performing such extremely complex heart surgeries.