by: Jacquelyn M. Spruce
Sixty-eight Mongolian children found to have congenital heart disease (CHD) may have a chance at a healthier life thanks to a cardiac specialist team, including Health Science Center faculty and staff. They recently traveled to Mongolia to provide free medical screening to children who had never received it before and additional training to health care providers.
Minnette Son, M.D. associate professor in the department of pediatrics; John Kupferschmid, M.D., associate professor in the department of surgery; Janet Hayes, M.D., clinical associate professor in the department of medicine, division of cardiology; Cathy Woodward, professional nurse practitioner in the department of pediatrics; and Melissa Rayburg, M.D., pediatric resident, were part of the remarkable team that helped disadvantaged children. The group accompanied a team assembled by Kirk Milhoan, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric cardiologist from Wilford Hall Medical Center.
Some children waited for hours and walked several miles with their families to utilize their only chance to receive medical help. After screening more than 1,600 needy children, 68 were found to have CHD, any heart defect present at birth. Fortunately, some of these children have the opportunity to have surgery in Mongolia and others have been enrolled in the Children’s Heart Project and await the chance to have surgery performed in the United States or Canada.
“Our whole team felt humbled to be able to provide help for children in need,” Woodward said.
With a primarily nomadic lifestyle, many Mongolian citizens still live in gers, easily moveable large, felt tents. Beyond the lack of development, the mobile lifestyle often makes health care difficult to find for many Mongolians. Resources for screening and treatment are extremely limited and cardiologists are few and far between.
The team also conducted symposiums at the Mongolian Children’s Hospital and was able to provide additional training to Mongolian physicians and nurses, with goals of improving the knowledge base of health care providers caring for children with CHD.
“I was lecturing to a room full of nurses on post-operative assessment and was surprised to find out that none of them owned a stethoscope and their assessment skills were very limited,” Woodward said.
A follow-up visit is planned for October to provide surgical repair and post-op care for children with CHD. A surgical team will work with Mongolian physicians to increase their knowledge and capabilities for pediatric heart surgery in Mongolia.
“The trip was challenging and rewarding for all who shared their expertise with individuals in Mongolia,” Woodward said. “Parents and children were tremendously grateful. We hope we gave them hope and a broader view of the world, knowing that people with more adequate resources are willing to help and care.”
If you would like to donate a stethoscope to the Mongolian Children’s Hospital, contact Woodward at:
woodwardc@uthscsa.edu.
