Israeli Doctor Flies 4,000km to Rwanda to Help Save 11-Day-Old Baby’s Heart
An Israeli pediatric heart specialist traveled over 4,000 kilometers to Rwanda to assist his former trainee in performing a lifesaving heart procedure on an 11-day-old baby at King Faisal Hospital.
A newborn baby diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition has been successfully treated in Rwanda following a complex cardiac procedure carried out by a team of Rwandan and Israeli specialists, marking a significant milestone for the country’s pediatric healthcare services.
The 11-day-old infant, identified as Angel, was suffering from critical pulmonary valve stenosis, a rare congenital heart defect that severely restricts blood flow from the heart to the lungs. Without urgent intervention, the condition can quickly become fatal.
The breakthrough procedure was performed at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali after Dr. Gerard Misago, a Rwandan pediatric cardiologist, sought the support of Dr. Sagi Assa, Head of Interventional Pediatric Cardiology at Wolfson Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dr. Assa, who previously trained Dr. Misago, traveled more than 4,000 kilometers to Rwanda to assist with the operation.
Working alongside Rwandan cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Christine Niyibogora, the medical team performed a balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, a highly specialized minimally invasive procedure used to widen the narrowed pulmonary valve.
Using a catheter inserted through tiny blood vessels, the team successfully opened the blocked valve, restoring normal blood flow to the newborn's heart and lungs. The operation was completed successfully, and within hours, Angel was taken off mechanical ventilation and reunited with his mother.
Dr. Assa returned to Israel less than 30 hours after departing, describing the mission as more than an emergency intervention.
According to the specialists involved, the successful procedure demonstrates Rwanda’s growing capacity to manage advanced pediatric cardiac conditions locally. Cases that once required costly referrals abroad can now increasingly be treated within the country by Rwandan medical professionals equipped with specialized training and international collaboration.
Healthcare experts say the achievement reflects years of investment in medical education, skills transfer, and partnerships aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s healthcare system.
