Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Miroslava Kira Djafarova via CCI

Parents of newborn baby thank Ireland after Irish-funded operation saves their son

Miroslava was at serious risk of dying from ‘Chernobyl Heart’.

PARENTS OF A 9-day-old baby who was saved by an Irish funded surgical team have thanked the people of Ireland.

The crisis in Ukraine has meant that surgical teams have been unable to get to get there with life saving cardiac operation being postponed twice.

The baby boy Miroslava was at serious risk of dying from ‘Chernobyl Heart’ if emergency cardiac surgery was not carried out by the surgical team.

He was the most critical of the 60 children suffering from genetic heart defects on the waiting list and so was the first child to be operated on.

Miroslava’s parents expressed their gratitude to the surgeons and the Irish people who funded the operation organised by Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International.

We are so grateful to the people of Ireland for saving our son. You are his guardian angels.

Seven month old Sergei, who also suffers from ‘Chernobyl Heart’ also received surgery.

Sergei

Many more children from newborns to 14 years will undergo the operations throughout the week.

The surgeons are internationally renowned specialists from the US, Canada and Nicaragua who volunteer their time for the trip.

Because of the volunteer work of the international surgeons each operation can be carried out for approximately €1,000.

Of the 6,000 babies born with heart defects in Ukraine each year, 50 per cent are not operated on because of lack of facilities and qualified medical teams in Ukraine.

Without cardiac surgery the children who need complex open heart operations have little hope of living beyond 5 years.

Since 2004 more than €3 million has been raised in Ireland to fund the programme organised by Chernobyl Children International.

The charity funds six surgical missions to Ukraine each year in conjunction with the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF).

Between 35 and 40 children are operated on during each mission.

CCI’s long-term objective is to create local cardiac teams who will be able to undertake year round surgical programmes across Ukraine.

Read: Doctors to risk Ukrainian violence to carry out life-saving children’s operations>

Read: Children can’t get surgery because of Ukraine crisis, the Irish government is being asked to help>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
19 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Cecil
    Favourite William Cecil
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 7:32 AM

    So who does one call there when they need the police?

    145
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute flexfinn
    Favourite flexfinn
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 7:45 AM

    @William Cecil: my obvious guess here would have been the replacements had it been voted through

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Rooney
    Favourite Trevor Rooney
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 10:00 AM

    @William Cecil: all you had to do was read the article

    29
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon
    Favourite Simon
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 3:23 PM

    @Trevor Rooney: a licenced peace office is inst much of an explanation

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ionsamhlú Irl
    Favourite Ionsamhlú Irl
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 7:23 AM

    i approve of this

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Phillips
    Favourite Colm Phillips
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2021, 7:26 AM

    Only 56% a worrying stat for that city, completely approve of this but sure tis muricaa

    49
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds