Israeli charity airlifts six children for heart surgery

JUBA – A charity organization has airlifted six South Sudanese children with heart conditions to Israel for surgery, with the support of donors and the country’s health ministry.

Gershon Kedar, Israel’s ambassador to South Sudan, said the assistance from Save a Child’s Heart aligned with growing bilateral ties between the two countries.

“This group of six children follows 15 children who have already been to Israel under the auspices of Save a Child’s Heart, they all went to Israel sick, and they all came back healthy,” Kedar said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Israel is cooperating with South Sudan in agriculture, education, and health, Kedar said, adding that another group of seven children would soon be going to Israel for heart surgery.

The ambassador also donated two electrocardiograms to local hospitals to aid in screening for children needing heart treatment.

Atim Suzan David, whose three-year-old child is among those traveling to Israel, expressed gratitude for the support.

“I am very happy for the support, we have been waiting for quite long, but the day has finally come, we really thank the government of Israel and the government South Sudan for helping our children,” Suzan said.

Wol Mayar Ariec, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said bilateral ties between Juba and Tel Aviv were strengthening through such cooperation.

“We have the best ever growing bilateral relations with the State of Israel, we are cooperating in many areas, for example agriculture innovation, education, health and capacity building in areas of mutual interest and more,” Ariec said.

Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the Health Minister, said Save a Child’s Heart had facilitated children for free heart surgery twice a year.

“We have got children to be flown out to Israel, it is continuous support that we have been getting from the foundation Save a Child’s Heart, in Israel there are groups of donors supporting South Sudan,” Juach said.

The minister noted that performing heart surgery on one child in Israel costs between $30,000 and $100,000.