By Suleman Chitera | Malawi Freedom Network

BLANTYRE, Malawi – June 1, 2026 – A group of 10 Malawian children suffering from serious heart conditions has arrived in Israel to receive life-saving cardiac treatment through the humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart (SACH), marking a major milestone in growing medical cooperation between Malawi and Israel.

The young patients, aged between two and 19 years, traveled to Israel accompanied by eight mothers and an escorting nurse. They will undergo specialized cardiac procedures at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel.

The children were identified during Save a Child’s Heart’s first-ever medical screening mission in Malawi, conducted in May 2025 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. The mission screened approximately 150 children over four days, with 88 diagnosed with treatable heart conditions and selected as candidates for surgery or catheterization procedures.

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Many of the children suffer from congenital heart defects and rheumatic heart disease, a preventable but potentially life-threatening condition that can develop after untreated streptococcal infections.

Families Express Hope and Gratitude

For many families, the journey represents their first time traveling outside Malawi and their first opportunity to access advanced cardiac treatment.

Magret Pitani, mother of eight-year-old Prince Pitani, described the emotional wait following her son’s diagnosis.

“My son Prince needed heart surgery, and we waited for almost a year after the doctors from Save a Child’s Heart came to Malawi and examined him. During that time, I was anxious and constantly praying that he would receive this life-saving opportunity. When we learned that the flights were finally booked, I felt hope and relief for the first time in a long time,” she said.Govt Is Slow On Israel Embassy

Fiskani Ngwira, mother of three-year-old Zakiyah, also shared her joy after arriving in Israel.

“I didn’t know if this trip was really going to happen. I kept praying for this opportunity for my daughter. Now we are finally here, and we are so happy. Zakiyah will soon undergo surgery, and we are filled with hope,” she said.

Historic Medical Partnership

The landmark screening mission in Malawi was coordinated by Save a Child’s Heart with support from the Menomadin Foundation. The initiative brought together medical specialists from Israel and healthcare professionals from Malawi to diagnose children with heart disease while also strengthening local medical capacity.

The Israeli delegation was led by senior pediatric cardiologists Dr. Hanita Shai and Dr. Akiva (Aki) Tamir, alongside Nava Gershon, Head Nurse of Pediatric Surgery at SACH/Wolfson Medical Center.

The team worked closely with Malawian healthcare professionals led by Dr. Yamikani Chimalizeni to improve local expertise in pediatric cardiac diagnostics and treatment.

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Beyond providing immediate medical assistance, the mission included hands-on training programs designed to help build sustainable pediatric cardiac care services in Malawi.

Strengthening Malawi-Israel Relations

SACH Executive Director Simon Fisher said the initiative demonstrates the growing humanitarian and diplomatic relationship between Malawi and Israel.

“We are hopeful the breakthrough with children coming to Israel will also help strengthen broader cooperation between our two countries,” Fisher said.

The program forms part of Save a Child’s Heart’s long-term vision to establish a center of excellence for pediatric cardiac care in Malawi, ensuring more children can access treatment closer to home in the future.

Growing Cooperation Since 2019

Save a Child’s Heart first began treating children from Malawi in September 2019 when Lemos Tsatawe became the organization’s first patient from the country. Malawi subsequently became SACH’s 62nd partner nation.A Catholic health care organization to implement mental health project

Relations between Malawi and Israel have continued to expand in recent years. In April 2024, a high-level Malawian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo visited SACH facilities in Israel. The visit coincided with the opening of Malawi’s first embassy in Israel.

In April 2025, Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharren Haskel, visited Malawi and officially announced the launch of expanded Save a Child’s Heart activities in the country, including pediatric cardiac screening and treatment initiatives.

Saving Lives Beyond Borders

As the Malawian children begin treatment in Israel, Save a Child’s Heart continues its mission of providing life-saving cardiac care regardless of nationality, religion, race, or financial background.USAID Malawi freezes funding, health sector reels

The organization says its ultimate goal is not only to save individual lives but also to empower local healthcare systems with the skills and knowledge needed to treat future generations of children suffering from heart disease.