Ido Gutin, Director of Resource Development at Save A Child’s Heart (SACH), an Israeli humanitarian organization, has reaffirmed the group’s mission to provide life-saving cardiac care to children from low-resource countries, particularly across Africa.
In an exclusive interview with select African journalists, including PUNCH Healthwise, Gutin shared insights into the NGO’s work, success stories, and plans for expansion into more African nations.
Heart Care Without Borders
Founded in 1995, Save A Child’s Heart has treated more than 7,500 children from 72 countries, including 19 African nations. Gutin explained that the only requirement for a child to be considered for treatment is a correctable heart defect.
“One in every hundred children is born with a congenital heart defect,” Gutin said. “It doesn’t matter where they are from. If we can help them, we will.”
Crucially, all treatments are provided free of charge. “Parents are not expected to pay. The programme is entirely funded through philanthropy and partnerships with governments in countries like Zambia and Rwanda,” he added.
Training Doctors, Building Capacity
Recognizing the limitations of treating every child abroad, the organization invests heavily in medical training. Doctors from partner countries are brought to Israel for specialized fellowships in cardiology, anesthesiology, and surgery.
“Our vision is sustainability,” said Gutin. “In Tanzania, for example, it took 10 years to train a full team. Today, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute is self-sufficient and performs over 300 surgeries annually.”
Children from Nigeria and Across Africa
While there is no formal program currently operating in Nigeria, Gutin confirmed that Nigerian children are regularly treated in Israel. A Nigerian doctor is also undergoing anesthesiology training at the facility.
Other African countries benefitting from SACH’s work include Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Zanzibar, and Tanzania. Plans are underway to expand services to Malawi.
Heart-Wrenching Stories, Heart-Warming Recoveries
Gutin recounted the story of Mano, a Rwandan boy who arrived in Israel at just six months old with a complex heart condition. After more than a year and a half of care, Mano is now healthy and preparing to return home.
“Each child is a world of their own. As we say in Judaism: ‘Whoever saves a life saves an entire world,’” Gutin remarked.
Navigating Conflict Zones
Before the war in Gaza began on October 7, nearly half of the children treated annually by SACH came from the Palestinian territories. However, the conflict has halted Gaza referrals, though children from the West Bank are still being treated.
“We don’t see borders. A child is a child,” Gutin emphasized. “We will do whatever we can to provide them with the care they need.”
How to Access SACH Services
Parents or physicians who suspect a child has a heart condition can reach SACH through their website — [www.saveachildsheart.org](http://www.saveachildsheart.org) — or through social media platforms. Early signs of congenital heart defects include breathlessness and bluish lips or fingers.
With a treatment success rate of over 95%, SACH currently hosts more than 30 children in its Israeli facility, giving families across continents renewed hope and a future free from the fear of losing a child to heart disease.
