GPHC, GOLI Mission save 18 children with lifesaving heart surgeries

Following a collaboration between the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Gift of Life International (GOLI), the second paediatric cardiac mission for 2025 was successfully completed from August 4 to 8, bringing renewed hope and advanced cardiac care to 18 Guyanese children living with life-threatening heart conditions.

This initiative brought together local medical professionals and a 25-member international team led by Dr Rodrigo Soto to perform two types of lifesaving procedures: paediatric cardiac catheterisation and open-heart surgery. Over the course of the mission, the teams completed 10 cardiac catheterisations and six open-heart surgeries, directly benefiting 16 young patients with congenital heart disease.
In addition to the surgical procedures, the team also conducted paediatric cardiology screenings for 80 patients — identifying those requiring urgent intervention, those in need of future treatment, and reassuring others whose conditions did not require further procedures.
To date, 13 of the 16 children who underwent surgery have been safely discharged, with the remaining three expected to return home in the coming days.
“The GOLI–GPHC partnership continues to transform lives while building local expertise,” Head of the Paediatric Department, Dr Sara Singh said.
“Our shared commitment is to ensure that every child in Guyana with a heart condition has access to the care they need, right here at home.”
The GOLI team is scheduled to return to Guyana for its third and final mission of the year from December 6 to 16, 2025, continuing its life-saving work and expanding opportunities for children to live healthy, fulfilling lives.