Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant yet underrepresented health crisis in Africa, contributing to approximately 34,000 preventable infant deaths annually. The Ignatian Health Expansion Initiative (IHEI) at SI is dedicated to shedding light on overlooked global health issues and mobilizing support for effective interventions. In alignment with this mission, we highlight the efforts of Children’s HeartLink and their Africa Children’s Hearts Initiative, which aims to transform pediatric cardiac care in Angola, Ghana, and Namibia.
CHD is a group of structural heart defects present at birth that affect the heart’s function and blood flow. These defects can range from mild to life-threatening and may include holes in the heart, malformed valves, or improperly developed heart chambers. CHD is the most common congenital disability worldwide, and while many cases can be treated with surgery or medication, access to proper care is severely limited in low-income regions, leading to high mortality rates. Learn more about CHD here.
Each year, an estimated 500,000 children in Africa are born with CHD, yet 90% lack access to necessary medical care. A shortage of pediatric cardiac specialists, limited training opportunities, and insufficient public awareness about CHD exacerbates this disparity. Additionally, many African nations lack national policies for the prevention and treatment of pediatric heart disease, leading to undiagnosed conditions and premature deaths.
In the short term, over the next three years, the Children’s HeartLink aims to engage local leadership to develop a roadmap for sustainable pediatric cardiac care and establish training centers tailored to low-resource environments. The long-term vision is to create three Children’s HeartLink Centers of Excellence in the targeted countries. These centers will provide high-volume, high-quality care and serve as regional training hubs, elevating the standard of pediatric cardiac care across the continent.
By raising awareness and contributing to organizations dedicated to addressing CHD in Africa, we can help bridge the healthcare gap and ensure every child has access to life-saving healthcare. The Apogee Report will host a fundraiser for Children’s HeartLink as we ask for the SI community’s aid and compassion as Ignatians for this health issue.
Update: We have successfully raised over $1000 for the initiative via bake sales (see above picture). We hope to continue to help and support Children's HeartLink.
St. Ignatius's Prayer for Generosity:
“O my God, teach me to be generous,
teach me to serve as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and to not heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for a reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.”
