The Heart to Heart Children’s Charity Foundation, an Ethiopia-based organisation registered in the United States, has signed a landmark cooperation agreement with three leading Italian charities to provide free heart surgeries for 50 children at Ethio-Istanbul General Hospital in Addis Ababa.
The agreement, reached with Una per Voce Padre Pio, CCPM and REBEL Hearts, addresses Ethiopia’s critical shortage of paediatric cardiology services. Enzo Palumbo, who leads the Italian organisations, committed to ongoing support beyond one-time aid during a recent visit to the hospital.
“Our mission goes beyond surgery — we aim to build a lasting bridge in medical care,” Mr. Palumbo said. “Twice yearly, we will send 17 senior specialists — surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists and intensive care nurses — to ensure Ethiopian children receive world-class treatment at home.”
The partnership follows a multi-year collaboration model, targeting 50 children per visit and 100 annually. Beyond surgeries, it includes supplying medical equipment and transferring expertise to local staff at Ethio-Istanbul Hospital. The first medical campaign launches in April 2018 E.C. (2026 G.C.), with the Italian team bringing all necessary resources.
Marking the occasion during Ethiopia’s holiday season, the 50 children selected for April surgeries received “Christmas Gift Certificates” guaranteeing free treatment — a profound relief for families long burdened by prohibitive costs and travel.
Berhan Tedla, founder of Heart to Heart and owner of Ethio-Istanbul General Hospital, highlighted the toll of untreated heart disease. “Many children die waiting for timely care. This partnership is a lifeline for desperate families,” he said.
Since opening, Ethio-Istanbul has already treated over 85 children with heart conditions, though Berhan stressed the problem’s vast scale requires stronger government support, including from the Ministry of Health.
The agreement positions Ethiopia as a regional hub for specialised paediatric care while easing the medical tourism drain that costs the country hundreds of millions annually in foreign currency. Italian and Ethiopian partners pledged to scale the model, combining philanthropy, expertise transfer and local capacity-building to save more young lives.
