VIENTIANE: A two-month-old infant was recently diagnosed with a severe form of coarctation syndrome, a life-threatening heart condition.
However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Dr Schneider and his team from Aide au Développement de la Santé (ADS) Luxembourg, in collaboration with the surgical and cardiology teams at the Lao-Luxembourg Heart Centre at Mahosot Hospital, the baby underwent a successful heart repair shortly after birth.
This timely intervention has given the child a new lease on life and the potential for a healthy future.
ADS, in its mission to improve healthcare in Laos, is proud to support this child’s journey toward a brighter future.
The successful surgery also marks a significant achievement for ADS, which has been active in Laos for nearly 27 years, working to advance medical practices and infrastructure for heart care.
This journey began in 2003 when ADS launched its mission to develop modern cardiology capabilities in Laos.
Over time, this effort evolved into the establishment of the Lao-Luxembourg Heart Centre (LLHC) with the support of the Lao and Luxembourg governments, through the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
Today, the LLHC is home to state-of-the-art cardiology services and has performed over 2,900 open-heart surgeries.
Notably, 735 of these operations have been independently handled by Lao medical teams, reflecting a successful transfer of skills.
Additionally, ADS has introduced non-invasive endovascular techniques for treating heart conditions in young patients.
Since 2015, approximately 190 children have received this minimally invasive treatment, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery.
Looking ahead, ADS plans to develop coronary bypass surgery without extracorporeal circulation at Mahosot Hospital by late 2024, advancing cardiac care capabilities in Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN
