Uzbek Children Receive Life-Changing Heart Surgery at Gachon University Gil Hospital

A Heartwarming Story of Hope and Recovery

Gachon University Gil Hospital, in partnership with Incheon City, has been providing medical support to children with heart disease from around the world through the Asian Exchange City Medical Support Project. Recently, three Uzbek children suffering from heart disease received treatment at the hospital, and their recovery is a testament to the power of hope and medical expertise.

The children, including 1-year-old Asila, were invited to Korea for surgical treatment after their heart abnormalities were discovered during a local medical service conducted by Gachon University Gil Hospital at the Tashkent State Children’s Hospital in Uzbekistan. The children had congenital complex heart disease and required immediate surgery, but were unable to receive treatment in their home country due to medical and financial constraints.

The children underwent surgery at Gachon University Gil Hospital on August 20-22 and have since made a remarkable recovery. Asila, who had a particularly complex heart condition, including a periventricular septal defect and patent foramen ovale, was a cause for concern among the medical staff, but she has recovered safely through intensive care after the surgery.

The recovery celebration, held ahead of the children’s discharge, was attended by Director Woo-kyung Kim of Gachon University Gil Hospital, the medical staff who performed the surgery and treatment, ward nurses, the social work team, Incheon City officials, and sponsors. The Wheat Heart Foundation, the New Life Movement Headquarters, and the Yoido Full Gospel Church sponsored part of the treatment costs.

Gachon University Gil Hospital has a long history of providing medical support to children with heart disease from abroad, having treated a total of 451 children since 1996. A Mongolian child with heart disease is scheduled to visit the hospital in November.

Director Kim Woo-kyung expressed her gratitude to Incheon City for its continued support and to the medical staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the children’s recovery. “I would like to thank Incheon City for its continued interest in carrying out medical support projects with us, and all the medical staff who did not give up hope for the children’s health and treated them even in difficult circumstances,” she said. “I will cheer for the children to grow into healthy adults.”