The Impact of Congenital Heart Disease on Underdeveloped Countries and the Steps Humanitarian Organizations are Taking to Mitigate It

Abstract

Congenital heart disease is a highly complex illness that can be difficult to manage, especially in underdeveloped countries with limited access to medical resources. Humanitarian organizations have played a large role in both treating CHD and developing self-sustaining pediatric cardiac centers. Steps need to be made to increase the number of cardiac centers and the number of personnel in low- to middle-income countries so that their citizens have appropriate access to care. Instead of continuing to fund short term trips, it may be beneficial for more humanitarian organizations to follow in the lead of organizations such as Children’s Heart Project and develop long standing hospitals.