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COOPERATIVE SOCIAL EMERGENCY TRANSPORT POBIC

Archive April 2025

April 26

Ghana: Pobic Mission's First Step to Combat Rheumatic Heart Disease

Ghana: Pobic’s First Step in the Mission to Combat Rheumatic Heart Disease Mission to Ghana: A Strategic Meeting for Public Health Between March 21 and 23, 2025, a Pobic delegation took its first official steps in Ghana. President Paolo Novellini and Festus Adedayo traveled to the capital, Accra, for a series of strategic institutional meetings, laying the groundwork for a new collaboration in the field of rheumatic heart disease prevention. During the mission, Pobic engaged directly with representatives of Ghana’s Ministry of Health and with the medical team at the National Cardiothoracic Center, the country’s leading cardiac hospital. A particularly significant meeting was held with the director of cardiac surgery, Dr. (Med) Kow Entsua-Mensah, a leading figure in Ghana’s healthcare system. Humanitarian Aid: A Concrete Response to Local Needs During the working sessions, there was extensive discussion of the state of cardiac surgery in the country, but above all of the need to develop a joint strategy to address an often-underestimated problem: rheumatic heart disease, which in Ghana particularly affects children between the ages of 3 and 14. The main request made to Pobic was clear: to help develop a screening protocol to measure the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in the pediatric population. This is a crucial step not only toward understanding the disease’s actual impact at the national level but also toward enabling Ghana to share data and strategies with other countries on the African continent, with a view toward broader health cooperation. Rheumatic Diseases in Africa: A Widespread and Neglected Problem The collection of this data will, in fact, serve a dual purpose: on the one hand, it will provide Ghanaian authorities with a concrete tool for planning prevention and treatment interventions; on the other, it will enable Ghana to fully participate in international initiatives aimed at eradicating rheumatic fever in sub-Saharan Africa. The March mission is therefore only the first step. But it is already clear that the humanitarian aid Pobic will provide in Ghana will not be limited to occasional interventions: it will be based on solid scientific foundations, with the goal of developing projects for prevention, early diagnosis, and long-term support. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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April 14

Open Heart Uganda Project: How Sonia Came Back to Life Thanks to an Extraordinary Surgery

Open Heart Uganda Project: How Sonia Got a New Lease on Life Thanks to an Extraordinary Surgery Thanks to Pobic’s Open Heart program and the excellence of Italian cardiac surgery, a young African girl suffering from a severe congenital heart defect has been given a second chance at life. A true story of hope, difficult choices, and a life saved. In Africa, every year thousands of children born with severe heart defects lack access to adequate care. But every now and then, thanks to the courage of families, Italian medical excellence, and the support of donors, a small miracle happens. Such is the case of Sonia, a 15-year-old girl with a very severe congenital heart defect, who is alive today thanks to pediatric heart surgery made possible by Pobic through the Open Heart program. A Diagnosis with No Appeal: Only a Few Months to Live During a medical screening in Uganda, organized by Pobic last January, doctors identified seven children in critical condition. Among them, Sonia stood out not only because of the severity of her condition but also because she was visibly older than the others.   She had already turned 15, and according to the doctors, she had only a few months to live if she did not undergo emergency surgery. Her progressive heart condition would have led to her death by the age of 16. Yet Sonia continued to attend school, dreaming of being included in the Open Heart program, which brings children with heart disease to Italy for surgery. A High-Risk Procedure Among the severe cases, Sonia was the one with the least time left, but also the one with the highest surgical risk. Italian cardiac surgeon Dr. Giancarlo Michielon (Gaslini Hospital in Genoa), one of the world’s leading experts in pediatric cardiac surgery, confirmed that the operation was possible, but with a 50% risk of death.    In addition to the risk to her life, there was a 70% probability that the girl would emerge from surgery with a permanent pacemaker or with neurological disabilities caused by potential complications.   The costs of the operation were also significantly higher than for other procedures, due to its complexity and the specialized expertise required. The Choice Between Courage and Life The decision was not an easy one. It fell to Pobic’s President, Paolo, to assume the moral and operational responsibility of giving Sonia a chance. With great determination, Pobic launched an extraordinary fundraising campaign and organized her transfer to Italy. Sonia’s family—her mother, father, and two little sisters—knowingly agreed to take this risk. Because there was no other way to save this young girl’s life. The Miracle of Italian Cardiac Surgery The surgery was scheduled at the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, a center of absolute excellence in the care of children with congenital heart defects. The surgery exceeded even the best expectations: no cardiac arrest, no pacemaker, no neurological damage. Sonia’s heart was reconstructed. Today, she can lead a normal life. A new heart has given her back her future. Why Support Pobic’s Open Heart Program Every story like Sonia’s is the result of a concrete partnership between world-class medical expertise and genuine humanitarian support. Pobic’s Open Heart program identifies, selects, and performs surgery on children and adolescents with severe heart conditions who would have no chance of treatment in their home countries. Thanks to donations, Pobic is able to fund travel, surgeries, and hospital stays, saving lives that would otherwise be lost. Sonia’s story proves that donating truly saves a child’s life. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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April 2nd

Pobic ODV and Med Action Together for the Children of the Horn of Africa

POBIC and Med Action Join Forces for the Children of the Horn of Africa Padua, Thursday, March 27, 2025 – A date to remember. Two organizations, one great goal: to build a more just future, where every child, no matter where they were born, has the right to receive care and protection. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between POBIC and Med.Action, two Italian organizations that have been active for years in international health cooperation. Together, they are joining forces, expertise, and vision to ensure free, high-quality care for children in the Horn of Africa, one of the most vulnerable regions on the planet. A small gesture here can change a life far away. These words sum up the spirit of the meeting between Paolo Novellini, president of POBIC, and Ada Caraffini, director of the organization, along with representatives from Med.Action: Professor Giovanni Stellin, president; Walter Cadorin, vice president; and Walter Cendron, head of project and event management. The shared goal is to offer free healthcare to those who currently lack access even to basic services, facilitating life-saving interventions for children with heart conditions and promoting a model of concrete solidarity. Why This Project Is Important In the Horn of Africa, thousands of children live with medical conditions that, in other contexts, would be treated promptly. The lack of adequate hospitals, the shortage of trained medical personnel, and economic hardships make access to care nearly impossible.   POBIC, an NGO with over 30 years of experience in humanitarian projects in Africa, and Med.Action, composed of medical professionals engaged in volunteer healthcare work, aim to address this emergency. It is not just a matter of medicine. It is a matter of justice. The pillars of the agreement: Solidarity—Pooling expertise, energy, and resources to help the most vulnerable communities. Access to healthcare services—Ensuring free, high-quality care by overcoming economic and geographic inequalities.   Cooperation among Italian NGOs: Joining forces to multiply our impact and reach where the need is greatest. How to Contribute This project needs everyone’s support. Here’s how each of us can make a difference: Donate: Even a small contribution can provide a medical exam, a diagnosis, or a life-saving procedure.   Become a volunteer: doctors, nurses, logistics specialists, communications professionals… everyone can contribute their time and skills. Share: talk about it with others, spread the word about the project, and raise awareness about what’s happening in the Horn of Africa.     Through this agreement, POBIC and Med.Action aim to strengthen their response in the most complex contexts, addressing the health crisis in Africa with concrete, measurable, and sustainable actions. A possible future, a present to be built The agreement signed on March 27 is more than just a document.  It is a real commitment, grounded in experience and the determination to leave no child behind.   THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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