“Where does the blood flow come from? And where does it go?” Dr. Rodriguez paused a moment before repeating “Where does the blood come from, and where does it go?” Dr. Rodriguez was talking as much to himself as he was to the local cardiologists beside him. He carefully studied the illuminated echocardiogram screen, then …
Things I can tell you about Seraj, at 2 years old: He likes to sleep sideways in bed. He loves his mom like crazy, and missed her so much when she wasn’t beside his bed he called out to her “Mama! Mama!”, and tried to escape his bed to go find her every chance he …
In the Hollywood version of surgical scenes, a surgeon bursts into the operating room using his hip to push open swinging doors. His scrub cap and face mask are already in place, and his freshly scrubbed hands and forearms are held high in the air to keep them sterile. He enters a busy, equipped operating …
Setting The Scene—What Goes Into Prepping A Hospital For Surgery Read More »
The bright operating room lights were trained on the precise place where the repair needed to be made. It was a delicate operation—getting to the heart of the problem. But the “patient” in this case wasn’t a Libyan child—it was the anesthesia machine, and things weren’t looking good. And without an anaesthesia machine—no surgery. When …
Two Parts Engineer, One Part Macgyver—The Biomedical Engineer Read More »
Dr Novick was recently interviewed by the BBC World Service about our work in Libya, watch this video and see the impact you can make if you continue to support us.
A terrified, skinny boy arrived at the hospital. The cardiologist from Benghazi is looked at his heart, recommending urgent surgery. “Ramadan, will you let them operate on you?” The 14 year-old has heard this question again and again for the past seven years. “Will you accept?” His answer is always the same: “No.” Fatherless and culturally an …
The recent earthquake in Ecuador has devastated the country, the death toll rises each day and thousands of people are injured and homeless. We at Cardiac Alliance want to extend our sympathy and support to our friends and colleagues who are working to alleviate the suffering caused by this tragedy. As aid pours into the …
Every year in Libya, an estimated 400 – 600 babies are born whose tiny little hearts need medical care—and often surgery—within the first year of life. Babies just like Taleen. Precision is vital in any heart surgery. But when the patient is a baby, the stakes are even higher… and the margin of error slimmer. …
Before & After: Taleen’s Surgery Made All The Difference! Read More »
Dr. Wejdan is one of the incredible Libyan surgeons we are helping train in Libya. When she was just 5 years old, she told her mother she wanted to be a heart surgeon someday. Her mother had no idea that her daughter even knew what a surgeon was! Dr. Rasmia didn’t intend to become a doctor: “My teacher in …
No Boys’ Club—Meet The Strong Libyan Doctors We’re Training Read More »
As soon as Muttah woke up after his heart surgery, he squawked from morning till night. He repeated the same motion over and over, throwing his little hands over his head, then back down to his sides. Over and over, for hours at a time. If Muttah wasn’t sleeping or eating he was squawking and flapping. …
3 Kids In The ICU: Same Surgery, VERY Different Needs Read More »
