Gift
of Life International (GOLI)-The Gambia, is set to send a 14-year old boy to
the United States of America for cardiac surgery.
Ambrus
Correa, who is suffering from congenital heart disease, who was seen by a
senior echo-cardiographer at Medical Research Council (MRC) unit The Gambia was
diagnosed with small Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) since March, 2018. Ambrus
will be travelling with his father today, 8th November, for his surgery.
His
surgery cannot be done in The Gambia due to lack of expertise in cardiac
surgeries.
However,
he is accepted for surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Roselyn, New York, United
State and no cost is attached for his treatment and accommodation.
The
Gift of Life International is a locally registered not-for-profit organisation,
internationally affiliated, and closely linked with Rotary. GOLI gets its
funding through Rotary clubs, Rotarians, District funds and Rotary
international global funds to support children with congenital heart diseases
to get their surgeries done abroad.
Simon
Correa, the father of the child and a scientific officer at the MRC, said he
was happy when he heard that his son will be going for treatment.
“My
son have been suffering from this disease but to my opinion, I thought he was
suffering from lungs infection and I used to give him anti-biotic,” he said.
Adelle
M. Sock, vice president of Rotary club of Fajara said rotary is an organisation
that starts in the USA and has branches worldwide. “The rotary involves groups
of professionals who help people to function internationally for more than
hundred years. Rotary works with GOLI which is based in the USA and they deal
with helping people who have congenital heart diseases.”
Habi
Bah, coordinator of the organisation shared her experience when her son was a
cardiac patient, saying due to the assistance of GOLI international, her son is
now cured. “I got inspired after coming back from my son’s treatment to help
those children suffering from congenital heart disease.”
The
mission of the organisation is to provide hope to Gambian children who have
heart diseases or conditions regardless of their gender, creed, or national
origin.
