A team of cardiac surgery specialists from Milan successfully performed lifesaving operations on five low-income patients at Paraguay’s Clinical Hospital. Their work shows how international medical partnerships can bridge continents to heal hearts. The Italian surgeons from Safe Heart ODV, a Milan-based humanitarian organisation, collaborated with Paraguayan doctors. They performed complex heart surgeries and provided advanced training to local medical staff.
Five successful operations
The initiative, facilitated through the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National University of Asunción (FCMUNA), represents more than just immediate patient care. Professor Dr. Jorge Rotela, head of the Cardiac Surgery Unit within the Cardiovascular Medicine Division, emphasised the broader impact of the collaboration.
“We have operated on five patients with excellent results. All have been discharged,” Dr. Rotela explained. “Beyond the surgeries, we conducted training and update activities in advanced surgical techniques for medical residents and professionals in the field.”
Supporting the Italian surgeons
The surgeries were made possible through support from the Central Department Government and the university hospital itself. Each patient treated came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting the humanitarian focus of the mission.
Safe Heart ODV specialises in promoting humanitarian cardiac surgery worldwide, collaborating with healthcare institutions in developing countries. The organisation’s arrival in Paraguay came about through a Paraguayan citizen residing in Italy, who proved instrumental in establishing this charitable alliance with FCMUNA.
The Italian surgeons did not limit their contribution to surgical procedures alone. They conducted comprehensive training sessions covering advanced cardiovascular techniques, benefiting both medical residents and established professionals. These educational components addressed areas including haemodynamics and interventional cardiology, providing Paraguayan medical staff with exposure to cutting-edge European practices.
Building long-term medical partnership
The collaboration extends beyond this initial visit, with both institutions committed to establishing a long-term partnership. Plans include ongoing cooperation that encompasses not only direct patient care, but also strengthened academic training in cardiovascular surgery and related specialties.
The successful outcomes of all five surgical cases demonstrate the effectiveness of combining international expertise with local knowledge and resources.
The initiative underscores how individual connections can spark meaningful institutional partnerships. What began through one Paraguayan resident’s initiative in Italy, has evolved into a structured cooperation programme with potential for lasting impact on cardiovascular care in Paraguay. Both Safe Heart ODV and FCMUNA have expressed commitment to continuing this collaboration. Ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the initial surgical interventions. To create sustainable improvements in Paraguay’s cardiovascular medicine capabilities.
Recently Paraguay and Brazil also launched a joint international initiative to map out health infrastructure in major border cities.
