Palestinian kids undergo heart surgery in Israel
Lives of 100 Palestinian children saved under EU- funded project at Wolfson Medical Centre in Holon; project 'Heart of the Matter' provides Palestinian children with open heart surgery, other life-saving treatment
The lives of 100 Palestinian children have been saved under an EU- funded project carried out by the Save a Child’s Heart organization at the Wolfson Medical Centre in Holon, the Delegation of the European Commission to Israel reported.
“The project - The Heart of the Matter - provides Palestinian children with open heart surgery and other life-saving treatment. As part of this process the parents of the Palestinian children encounter the parents of Israeli children undergoing similar operations at the Wolfson Medical Center in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect that spreads to their broader communities,” the EU said in a statement.
“Another aspect of the project is to provide training for two Palestinian physicians. The European Union supports The Heart of the Matter under its Partnership for Peace Program with a contribution of 500,000 euros (about USD 590,000),” the statement said.
'This is a model project'
On Wednesday a reception held at the residence of the British Ambassador Simon McDonald marked the 100th operation under the EU-funded program and also 10 years of activity by the Save a Child’s Heart organization, which during the past decade has supported heart surgery for more than 1,400 children from 23 countries at the Wolfson Medical Center.
Attending the reception was Ambassador Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, Head of the EU Commission Delegation to the State of Israel who said: “I am delighted that this inspiring project has met its goals of both saving human lives and bringing together Israelis and Palestinians in an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding.
"This is a model project which could be emulated in many other fields of cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian civil societies. The European Commission is prepared to continue to support such projects under the EU Partnership for Peace Program. “
