Toddler ISIS Refugee is Recovering from Life-Saving Heart Surgery at Hadassah

3/31/2015

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL—When her family fled the Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Iraq, the chances that Maryam could have the life-threatening hole in her heart repaired were near zero. Today, however, the 18-month-old is recovering from life-saving heart surgery at the Hadassah’s hospital in Jerusalem.

"Her situation was very complex," explains Dr. Eldad Erez, Chair of Hadassah’s Pediatric Cardiothoracic Unit. Her heart was pointed to the wrong side of her chest and her arteries were connected to the wrong chambers. In addition, because the surgery didn't take place when she was a baby, her lungs were compromised. "Normally the surgery would have been done at eight months,” notes Prof. Erez, “but there is nothing normal in this story. I don't see more than one case like this a year."

Following eight hours of surgery, Maryam is in stable condition in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with an “excellent prognosis," Dr. Erez reports.

Maryam’s mother, Lena, who brought the child from her refugee camp to the life-saving care of Hadassah’s health professionals, relates: "I can never thank you enough. 

Lena and Maryam had made their way to Israel thanks to the Christian organization, Shevet Achim, whose representatives suggested she get to Hadassah and orchestrated the arrangements. "So many people speak Arabic here, and everyone is warm and supportive,” Lena notes. “You have given my child a future. God bless you."

About Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America:

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, donors and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change on such critical issues as ensuring Israel’s security, combating antisemitism and promoting women’s health care. Through its Jerusalem-based hospital system, the Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah helps support exemplary care for more than 1 million people every year as well as world-renowned medical research. Hadassah’s hospitals serve without regard to race, religion or nationality and in 2005 earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for building bridges to peace through medicine. Hadassah also supports two youth villages that set at-risk youth in Israel on the path to a successful future. Visit www.hadassah.org or follow Hadassah on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads and X.