Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has deployed a volunteering medical delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan, to implement a new medical convoy under the "Little Hearts" program.
The five-day project involves performing cardiac catheterisation procedures for 70 children with congenital heart defects at the Specialised Cardiology Hospital in Erbil, in cooperation with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS), at a total cost about QR513,000.
With a view to supporting the health sector in Iraq, the doctors will perform cardiac catheterizations to treat children of displaced Iraqis, Syrian refugees, and local families from the host community.
All necessary medical equipment and supplies were provided for free, to help alleviate the financial burden on poor families who cannot afford treatment.
Another objective of the project is to build the capacity of local medical professionals, by providing them with training and expertise while working with the expert delegation from Qatar.
QRCS has a long history executing health projects in Iraq since 2013. Examples include medical convoys of cardiac catheterization for children, support for health facilities, and Covid-19 control. Currently, there is a project in progress to treat eye diseases and perform eye surgeries. All these operations cost that exceeds $1.56mn.
