A seven-month-old infant who faced a life-threatening crisis without urgent intervention by the end of the year has successfully recovered following cardiac surgery in South Korea. Three other children from Kyrgyzstan who traveled with the infant have also completed their operations and are preparing for discharge.
Gachon University Gil Medical Center announced on July 28 that it invited four Kyrgyz children with congenital heart disease and performed their surgeries free of charge. The hospital hosted a celebration in a pediatric ward on July 27 to mark the children’s recoveries.
The young patients who received treatment are Akzhol, 6; Rinat, 2; Yasminakhon, 2; and Muhamet, 7 months. The children arrived in South Korea on July 9, were admitted to the hospital, and underwent successive surgical procedures.
Critical Heart Conditions Treated Successfully
The children were diagnosed with severe congenital heart conditions, including septal defects—holes in the wall separating the heart's chambers—and tetralogy of Fallot.
A septal defect occurs when the wall between the atria (upper chambers) or ventricles (lower chambers) fails to close completely during fetal development. Large defects place heavy strain on the heart and lungs, causing shortness of breath, stunted growth, and in severe cases, heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. One of the invited children also has Down syndrome alongside congenital heart disease, which presented additional complications that made local surgical intervention impossible.
Seven-month-old Muhamet suffered from tetralogy of Fallot, a complex cardiac condition involving four distinct structural malformations. The defect severely limits blood flow to the lungs and deprives the body of oxygen. Medical staff noted that without surgical correction before the end of the year, Muhamet faced a high risk of mortality. Following surgery, all four children, including Muhamet, have successfully regained their health.
Overseas Outreach Continues a 34-Year Legacy
A medical team comprising specialists from the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Division of Cardiology at Gachon University Gil Medical Center visited local hospitals in Kyrgyzstan from May 28 to 31. Following detailed diagnostic evaluations, the team selected four children who urgently required surgery but lacked access to care due to financial hardship and limited local medical infrastructure.
A local thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon from Kyrgyzstan accompanied the patients to South Korea, assisting with their care while learning advanced surgical techniques and patient management protocols from the Korean team.
The pre-discharge celebration was attended by Kang Woong-chul, Deputy Director for Medical Services (Internal Medicine Division) at Gachon University Gil Medical Center; Kim Young-shin, Director General of Incheon’s International Cooperation Bureau; representatives from the Milal Heart Foundation and the New Life Search Campaign Headquarters; and attending medical staff. Attendees presented gifts to celebrate the children’s recoveries, while the patients' mothers read letters expressing gratitude to the medical team and sponsor organizations.
Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s international medical mission began in 1991, when Lee Gil-ya, President of Gachon University, arranged treatment for a pediatric heart patient she met during a volunteer trip to Vietnam. The hospital brought its first international patient to South Korea the following year, establishing a long-term initiative to assist children abroad who lack access to cardiac care.
In 2007, the hospital formalized an agreement with the City of Incheon to treat pediatric cardiac patients from sister and friendship cities across Asia. With the recovery of these four Kyrgyz children, the program has provided life-saving heart surgeries to 469 patients from 17 countries to date.
"Inviting and treating overseas children with congenital conditions reflects a 34-year commitment by our founder, President Lee Gil-ya, to practice philanthropy, service, and devotion," said Kim Woo-kyung, Director of Gachon University Gil Medical Center. "We hope these children, now blessed with healthy hearts, will grow into vibrant individuals who contribute to the future of their home countries."
