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First of all, I would like to express my special thanks for your invitation to welcome this double event, which is organized by Apollonius Private Hospital in collaboration with the Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Heart Disease for the 14th of February, International Day for Congenital Heart Diseases.
The aim of this initiative is to inform the public about specific heart diseases. At the same time, we express our respect for the patients and their families, who bravely face the consequences of these conditions, in some cases for the rest of their lives.
It is important to note that the key to properly addressing the problem is early and accurate diagnosis, which will allow 80% of these children not only to reach adulthood, but also a highly satisfactory life expectancy and full integration into the social system.
It is important to note that the key to properly addressing the problem is early and accurate diagnosis, which will allow 80% of these children not only to reach adulthood, but also a highly satisfactory life expectancy as well as their full integration into the social system. Overall, it is estimated that 1 in 100 children born today is born with Congenital Heart Disease, a genetic abnormality that threatens the life of the infant from the first year and requires immediate surgery, creating significant problems for the children themselves and their families. With proper diagnosis and treatment, however, these children can earn the right to life and their full integration into society as equal members.
The privilege of the rapid development of technology and medical science is now the diagnosis and detection of the possible heart problem in children usually during pregnancy, unlike in the past when the diagnosis was made before the widespread introduction of prenatal intrauterine ultrasound in the fetus.
Detailed preoperative study of cardiac anatomy with modern imaging modalities allows accurate diagnosis and successful cardiac surgical management of congenital heart disease.
With the hopeful message that proper information and systematic monitoring can contribute to improving the quality of life and prognosis of patients with Congenital Heart Diseases, I would like to congratulate you for today's event which aims to inform and raise public awareness about the needs and problems that both children and adults with Congenital Heart Diseases have to face every day.
During the last two years, the Cardiac Innovation Center has performed 98 surgical procedures and 76 catheterizations on children and 100 procedures on adults with congenital heart disease. All surgeries in children and adults are covered by the General Health Insurance, while for cases not covered by the General Health Insurance there has been an excellent cooperation for more than 11 years with the Ministry of Health and the Director General of the Ministry of Health, making it possible for each patient to have a second chance for life in their home country.
Many thanks to Dr. John Janavaros, Director of the Department of Paediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Dusseldorf and his team:
- Dr. Siaco, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon/Edentist
- Dr. Ioannou, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon
- Dr. Mouse, Dr. Fedarrava and Dr. Houris, Anesthesiologists,
- Dr. Volker Oker and Dr.Sebastian Goethe, Pediatric Intensivists
- Dr. Tzifa, Dr. Avraamidis and Dr. Bartson, Interventional Pediatric Cardiologists
I wish you every success in this important work you are doing.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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