Children’s Heart Foundation Ghana funds life-saving surgeries for two children at Korle Bu

A Ghanaian non-profit organisation has funded life-saving heart surgeries for two children suffering from congenital heart defects, offering renewed hope to families and highlighting the continuing need for support for paediatric cardiac care in the country.

The intervention by the Children’s Heart Foundation Ghana was announced during a presentation ceremony at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Centre in Accra, where the procedures are being undertaken.

The foundation confirmed that one of the children has already undergone a successful open-heart surgery and is recovering steadily, while the second is scheduled to undergo the procedure in the coming weeks.

Funding for the surgeries was mobilised through a combination of international and local support, reflecting growing collaboration in addressing critical healthcare gaps. The Australian High Commission in Ghana played a key role, with High Commissioner Berenice Owen-Jones helping to raise funds through a Melbourne Cup-themed charity initiative, inspired by her personal experience as a parent of a child who once required heart surgery.

Additional contributions were generated through a health walk organised by the foundation, which brought together students and staff from Tema International School, SOS Hermann Gmeiner College and Al-Rayan International School. The event not only raised funds but also heightened awareness about congenital heart conditions among young people.

The latest intervention underscores the growing burden of congenital heart diseases in Ghana and the limited access to specialised care, particularly for children from low-income backgrounds. While the foundation has made significant strides over the past 15 years, supporting more than 250 children to undergo life-saving surgeries, demand continues to outstrip available resources.

Currently, more than 50 children remain on a waiting list, requiring urgent financial support to access treatment, according to the foundation.

Health advocates say sustained investment, partnerships and public awareness are essential to bridge the gap in access to paediatric cardiac care, as many families are unable to afford the high cost of such procedures.

The foundation has renewed its appeal to individuals, corporate bodies and development partners to support its work, stressing that timely intervention can mean the difference between life and death for affected children.