Hearts Healed, Lives Changed: Chain of Hope Wraps Lifesaving Surgery Week

Kenyan-based Consultant Intensivist Dr. Kabui Kasuongo (front left), instructs a team of nurses from the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) Cardiac Centre on post-operative care best practices and skills to support children following surgery. The training session, initiated by Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK occurred in tandem with six successful cardiac surgeries on children with extremely complex congenital heart defects by a 16-member volunteer team from the United Kingdom from Monday, January 12 to Friday, January 16, 2026 at the BHC’s Cardiac Centre.

Dedicated to improving access to paediatric cardiac care for Jamaicans and families across the region, Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK continue their mission to bring hope to children battling congenital heart disease, through its latest partnership with the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) Gift of Life International in honour of Cardiac Surgery Support Week at BHC's Cardiac Centre.

Surgeries were conducted by a 16-member volunteer team from Monday, January 12 to January 16 during the cardiac surgery mission week, which supported life-saving heart surgery for approximately six children with extremely complex congenital heart defects. 

The six children, who would otherwise be unable to access the specialised care, benefitted from the expertise of world-renowned surgeon Professor Victor Tsang who specialises in valve repairs and valve replacements in children and adolescents. 

“Not all procedures are the same,” explains Dr. Cleopatra Patterson, paediatric cardiac anaesthetist and intensivist at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, she continued,

“We have some babies with complex cases, some with their hearts tied up in knots that we are unable to unravel. There are a few children who have surgery needs for their particular disease that we simply do not have the capacity to treat due to a lack of specific resources and support. Chain of Hope has helped in these instances, helping us export the children to Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe or Great Osmond Heart Centre in London. They have provided access to both the medical expertise and training that has changed the lives of our children here at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.”

Dr. Cleopatra Patterson, paediatric cardiac anaesthetist and intensivist at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) showcases a procedure room at the BHC, designed for minimally invasive, cardiac procedures during a tour of the facility by a 16-member volunteer team led by Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Kingston-based Children’s Hospital. 

Through its life-saving work, Chain of Hope has also strengthened local capacity by investing in clinical training and skills transfer, ensuring a lasting impact beyond each mission such as training cardiologists and technicians in London.

This year Chain of Hope has started a national cardiac nursing intensive care training programme in collaboration with the University of Technology (UTECH). Chain of Hope sends educators to Jamaica as well as teaching remotely in collaboration with the UTECH educators. 

Since its establishment in 2007, a key focus for Chain of Hope Jamaica has been the development of more robust and sustainable cardiac services for the young patients and continues in 2026 with the development of further training and development.

Chain of Hope with partners Gift of Life International, Shaggy and Friends, Digicel and Sagicor created the Bustamante Hospital’s dedicated, paediatric cardiac unit that is equipped with a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit, operating theatre, and a bi-plane catheterisation laboratory.

Through its partnership with Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK under the ‘Mending Little Hearts’ programme the organisation has facilitated and supported hundreds of surgeries and interventions in line with its advocacy of ensuring that children with heart disease receive the best care.

Chain of Hope Jamaica strives to continue developing the local cardiac service at Bustamante Hospital for the paediatric population of Jamaica. One in every 100 children are born every year with heart disease and half of those need an intervention. Chain of Hope tries to help as many as possible and is always in need of support and partners.