China’s medical assistance rekindles hope for Pakistani children with congenital heart disease

Minister-Counselor Yang Guangyuan of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan visited the Pakistani Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) on June 26 to follow up on the eight children who had undergone surgery for congenital heart disease in January this year.

The surgeries were performed by a Chinese medical team in Pakistan led by professor Pan Xiangbin from Fuwai Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. 

Major General Naseer Ahmad Samore, executive director of the AFIC,  accompanied Yang on the visit. The general expressed his gratitude to the Chinese medical team for helping the young patients regain health with their advanced skills and equipment. He said this was another vivid demonstration of the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan and a fine example of cooperation between the two countries benefiting the general public. He expressed the hope to further learn from China and deepen cooperation with China to help more patients recover from illness as soon as possible.

With glowing smiles, the child patients and their parents said the surgeries were very successful and that pre-surgery conditions like difficulty in speaking and inability to engage in vigorous activities all significantly improved after the operations. They expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese medical team that helped the children regain their health and reignited hope for the families.