DEDICATED to improving access to paediatric cardiac care for Jamaicans and families across the region, Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK have continued their mission to bring hope to children battling congenital heart disease through their latest partnership with the Bustamante Hospital for Children and Gift of Life International in honour of Cardiac Surgery Support Week 2026.

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

The six children, who would otherwise be unable to access the specialised care, benefited 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,” explained Dr Cleopatra Patterson, paediatric cardiac anaesthetist and intensivist at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

“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 send 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,” added Dr Patterson.

Through its lifesaving work, Chain of Hope has also strengthened local capacity by investing in clinical training and skills transfer, ensuring a lasting impact beyond each mission including 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. This will continue this year 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.

Under the ‘Mending Little Hearts’ programme Chain of Hope Jamaica and Chain of Hope UK have facilitated, and supported, hundreds of surgeries and interventions in line with their advocacy of ensuring that children with heart disease receive the best care.

Chain of Hope Jamaica has indicated its commitment to continue developing the local cardiac service at Bustamante Hospital for Children.

One in every 100 children born every year has some form of heart disease, with half of those needing an intervention. Chain of Hope tries to help as many as possible and is always in need of support and partners.

Kenyan-based Consultant Intensivist Dr Kabui Kasuongo (foreground), instructs a team of nurses from the Bustamante Hospital for Children Cardiac Centre on paediatric post-operative care best practices and skills. 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.