More than 100 passionate golfers participated in the Aga Khan University’s Mending Kids’ Hearts Golf Tournament on November 26, 2023, at Karachi Golf Club, to raise funds for the treatment of children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
The tournament brings hope to children affected by CHD. With each swing, the golfers gifted the possibility of a healthy life to those in need.
In Pakistan, roughly 60,000 children are born with heart defects each year and require specialised care, mostly in the form of surgical treatment in the early phase of their life. The majority of these children are malnourished which makes their treatment even more challenging. Those fortunate to receive an early diagnosis and prompt treatment can lead healthy and long lives. However, not all children with heart defects are so lucky. Limited healthcare facilities with the expertise to treat CHD patients in the country, and financial constraints, make it difficult for many patients to access the critical medical care they need to survive.
The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) - one of the leading hospitals in Pakistan - treats children with simple to severe heart defects. Most of these children require financial assistance.
AKU’s Mending Kids’ Hearts programme was started in 2015 to support these young patients and their families. Through its annual charity golf tournament, it has received considerable support from the golfing community.
Each team that participates in the tournament covers the treatment cost of one child. Since its inception, the programme has raised millions to save many precious lives.
"We are leading the way in making new and reliable treatments available for the most complex CHD conditions in Pakistan,” said Dr Farhat Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, AKUH. He highlighted that in 2022, the Hospital achieved a new clinical milestone in a niche and complex service in neonatal cardiac surgery, that of correcting the transposition of the great arteries of the heart in newborns. Over the past year, five newborns have been treated for this condition with a zero mortality rate, exceeding international standards. “This comes with the validation and endorsement of our data through the IQIC collaboration with the Children Hospital Boston, USA,” added Dr Abbas. The funds raised for CHD patients through the golf tournament augment the Patient Welfare Programme of AKUH which aims to make quality healthcare accessible for patients from all backgrounds. Supported through AKUH’s resources and donations from our donors, the programme has disbursed PKR 33.6 billion in welfare assistance since its inception.
“As the platinum sponsor, the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) is proud to partner with AKU in supporting this incredible cause – repairing tiny hearts. There is nothing more fulfilling for us than to see young children triumph over health conditions such as CHD that undermine their well-being and survival,” said Ms Sabeen Gul, Wing Head of CSR and Sustainable Development at NBP.
AKU President, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, appreciated the golfers and donors for their generous contribution to the Mending Kids’ Heart Programme which has enabled thousands of young children across Pakistan to receive life-saving treatments.
