Israeli doctors arrived in the African nation to provide life-saving care to local youth.
By: United with Israel Staff
Israeli doctors from the Save a Child’s Heart organization arrived in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to conduct life-saving heart surgeries for children
The humanitarian operation was carried out with the support of Israel’s MASHAV, its international humanitarian and development agency.
Since 1999, more than 750 children from Tanzania were treated by the Israeli Save a Child’s Heart organization, a non-profit devoted to improving cardiac care for children from developing countries around the world.
Eyal David, Israel’s ambassador to Tanzania, tweeted that he was “proud” of MASHAV’s cooperation with Save a Child’s Heart and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Hospital. “Many children will receive life changing heart treatment,” he said.
Sabra, described as a “playful six-year-old” from Zanzibar who “always has a giant smile on her face,” was one of the beneficiaries of this humanitarian mission.
Humanitarian Ambassadors for Israel
Save a Child’s Heart was awarded the 2018 United Nations (UN) Population Award.
“NGOs like Save a Child’s Heart not only better the lives of people across the globe, but also serve as humanitarian ambassadors for Israel portraying the true character of our country to the world,” said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.
“Nothing makes us prouder than Israelis helping those in need and receiving the recognition they deserve from the international community,” he added.
Established in 1996, Save a Child’s Heart has to date served 4,400 children from 55 countries and trained more than 100 medical team members from these countries.
In 2011, following efforts by the Israeli Mission to the UN, Save a Child’s Heart was awarded consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
By mending hearts, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, or financial status, Save a Child’s Heart contributes to a more peaceful and productive world; a happier, healthier world, and a better world for all children, and their families.
About 50 percent of the children receiving medical care through SACH each year come from the Palestinian Authority (PA), Jordan, Iraq, and Morocco.