Let it begin!

The last four Rwandan group members arrived in Kigali late Friday 15th April, completing the 30-member Open Heart International team for 2016.

For the next ten days the group, made up of anesthetists, surgeons, cardiologists, intensivists, a biomedical engineer, a perfusionist, a physiotherapist, and a pharmacist, as well as intensive care unit, theatre and ward nurses, will treat at least 15 peadiatric cardiac patients during the project.

This year the team boasts international members spanning from India, the United Kingdom, the United States, Tanzania, as well as Australia; including from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Some volunteers have been here since the organisation’s inception, some have travelled with other projects, and others are here with Open Heart International for the first time.

Cardiologist Andrew Bullock, a valuable member of the Open Heart International team who is on his ninth trip to Kigali, explains the success of Open Heart International’s program is dependent on the surgical patients selected. Therefore, yesterday marks the first day or surgery at King Faisal Hospital, where the team operated on three patients between the ages of 18 months and 13 years old.

Open Heart International is rejoicing a milestone year during 2016; celebrating its ninth visit to Rwanda but also the organisation’s 30^thanniversary.

The Rwandan team marked the occasion with the organisation’s first team photo.

The 30-member team is a group of extraordinary volunteers, passionate about using their expertise to give back to the people of Rwanda.