Full Breakdown
Save a Child’s Heart Marks 30 Years of Global Pediatric Cardiac Care
By Drooid · · How we work
Milestone Celebration and Core Achievements
On a Friday at the Israeli President’s Residence, President Isaac Herzog, First Lady Michal Herzog, and international diplomats gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Save a Child’s Heart (SACH). The ceremony highlighted that the organization has provided free cardiac surgery to more than 9,000 children from 75 countries since its founding in 1995. Participants included representatives from African nations, medical professionals trained in Israel, and families of recent patients such as a seven-month-old infant from Zanzibar and the 9,000th child, Miracle Nkanda.
Background and Context
SACH was launched by the late Dr. Amram “Ami” Cohen, an American-Israeli cardiac surgeon at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. The initiative began after Ethiopian cardiologist Dr. Belay Abegaze requested urgent surgery for two Ethiopian children. Cohen arranged transport, hospital admission, and temporary housing for the families, raising roughly $10,000 for the first case. The early effort relied on volunteers and modest accommodations, establishing the guiding principle: “If we can, we should.” Over three decades the program added overseas missions, screening trips, and training for surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses from low-resource settings.
Data and Statistics
- Patients treated: > 9,000 children (including Miracle Nkanda).
- Countries represented: 75 nations.
- Cost per child: Approximately $15,000 covering surgery, travel, and accommodation.
- Global prevalence: One in every 100 children is born with a congenital heart defect.
- Recognition: United Nations Population Award (2018).
Official Statements and Responses
President Herzog called SACH a “triumph of human kindness” and suggested it merit a Nobel Peace Prize, emphasizing that treating children transcends political borders. Sylvan Adams, whose name graces the children’s hospital at Wolfson, recalled witnessing open-heart surgery as a catalyst for his support and affirmed that children from Gaza received care after October 7. Robert Baruch, SACH co-chair, said the organization provides “a second chance at life” regardless of birthplace. Executive director Simon Fisher described the anniversary event as “extraordinary,” noting the convergence of Israeli doctors, African trainees, and families under the President’s roof.
On-the-Ground Reports
Sumaiya, a seven-month-old from Zanzibar, spent two months in Israel receiving surgery before returning home. Six-year-old Shalom Nyaluge from Malawi attended the ceremony with her mother, illustrating the program’s reach into sub-Saharan Africa. Families reported that after successful procedures, children return home able to grow, play, and lead healthier lives, while trained medical professionals bring new expertise back to their home hospitals.
Why It Matters
SACH’s model blends direct patient care with capacity-building, enabling countries to develop sustainable pediatric cardiac services. By treating children from regions with strained diplomatic ties—including Iraq, the Palestinian Authority, and Gaza—the program shows how medical diplomacy can foster practical cooperation amid political tension. Training abroad reduces future reliance on foreign surgery, potentially lowering long-term costs and improving regional health outcomes.
Future Aspirations
SACH leadership expressed a vision of extending treatment to Iranian children, reflecting a commitment to serve patients irrespective of geopolitical barriers. Continued fundraising and private philanthropy are expected to sustain the $15,000 per-child cost structure and support further training initiatives.