By Contributor Mawa Kumaliopa

Malawi’s Honorary Consul to Israel, Nir Gess, is facing mounting criticism after reports falsely portrayed him as the key financier behind life-saving heart surgeries for Malawian children in Israel.

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The controversy erupted after claims circulated suggesting that Gess personally facilitated and funded the treatment, travel, and medical support for the children undergoing cardiac procedures in Israel. However, information later clarified that the surgeries, flights, accommodation, food, and all related expenses were fully covered by philanthropists supporting the humanitarian organisation Save a Child’s Heart.

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Sources familiar with the programme say the initiative has long been sustained by Jewish and Christian donors committed to saving children’s lives regardless of nationality or religion — not by Gess personally.

Critics argue that attempts to associate Gess too closely with the humanitarian operation risk overshadowing the real contributors who have financed the costly medical interventions for years.

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While Gess reportedly extended a welcoming gesture by sending his personal assistant, Irani Bederman, with gifts to receive the Malawian families in Israel, observers say this should not be confused with funding or organising the medical programme itself.

“This is a humanitarian project supported by international donors and medical professionals. Credit must go where it belongs,” said one commentator reacting to the controversy.

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The backlash has triggered debate on social media, with some Malawians accusing individuals linked to the story of exaggerating Gess’ role for publicity purposes.

Save a Child’s Heart, founded in 1995 at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel, has built an international reputation for providing free paediatric cardiac care to children from developing countries. The organisation has helped thousands of children worldwide through donor-funded medical support programmes.

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