PESHAWAR – The Little Heart Mission has saved 70 children with complex pediatric heart surgeries at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar. A team of expert Turkish cardiac surgeons carried out the procedures under a humanitarian initiative supported by Muntada Aid.
To mark the achievement, a special ceremony was held at LRH. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Ihtisham Ali, attended the event as chief guest.
Ten renowned Turkish surgeons collaborated with the LRH team to treat children suffering from congenital heart defects. Most patients came from Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking at the ceremony, Ihtisham Ali praised the impact of the mission.
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“Today, we celebrate not just 70 surgeries, but 70 lives saved — a remarkable act of service to humanity,” he said.
He applauded Dr. Saadia Ilyas for her leadership and commended the LRH Pediatric Cardiology Unit for its crucial role. He noted that the mission also helped train local cardiac teams, which will improve future patient care.
“We are now better equipped to handle such cases independently,” he said. “This is a promising step for our healthcare system.”
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The Health Advisor thanked Muntada Aid and its CEO, Sheikh Naif. So far, Sheikh Naif has led 50 missions in 14 countries, completing over 3,000 surgeries worldwide.
Ihtisham also announced that the provincial government would upgrade healthcare services at District Headquarters Hospitals. This, he said, will reduce pressure on LRH and improve access to quality care across the province.
In closing, he called the Little Heart Mission a strong example of international medical cooperation. Its efforts, he said, continue to bring hope to families with limited healthcare options in Pakistan.
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