5/21/2026
Qatar Charity (QC) has successfully carried out a humanitarian medical mission at the Al-Waleed Hospital in Homs, Syria, targeting children suffering from congenital heart defects. With generous support from donors, the initiative aimed to alleviate their suffering and improve access to specialized healthcare services.
The campaign saw the successful completion of 16 advanced cardiac catheterization procedures. The medical teams repaired the heart defects directly without the need for open-heart surgeries, showcasing a high level of medical competence and integration that immediately improved the children’s health conditions.
Qatar Charity confirmed that the initiative was executed in close collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Health and the Homs Directorate of Health. The mission brought together international medical specialists alongside local healthcare workers to grant vulnerable children the chance at a healthier, more stable life, despite the ongoing challenges facing the country's healthcare sector.
Humanitarian Triumph
Eng. Osama AlKhalaf, the Campaign Manager, reflected on the impact of the mission: "What we witnessed during this campaign was not just successful medical interventions, but new leases on life written for children who were facing real, life-threatening risks. Every single procedure was a moment of humanitarian triumph, clearly reflected in the joy of the parents and the return of hope to their hearts". AlKhalaf highly praised the vital role played by Qatar’s donors and benefactors in making this humanitarian initiative a success. He also expressed his profound gratitude to the medical, administrative, and local partners who worked with utmost sincerity and professionalism throughout the campaign.
Highlighting the clinical significance of the mission, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Sofi, Consultant Pediatric and Adult Interventional Cardiologist, emphasized the importance of this campaign amidst limited local medical resources. He noted that utilizing advanced cardiac catheterization techniques successfully treats congenital heart defects in children while sparing them major surgical operations, creating a profound, positive difference in the lives of the patients and their families.
The campaign also conveyed powerful human stories. Mr. Yasser Arab, a father of one of the treated children, expressed his deep gratitude for the support received, confirming that the swift medical intervention saved the life of his child, Abdul Hamid, after the family had been living in a constant state of fear and anxiety.
Continuous Efforts
The campaign is part of Qatar Charity’s continuous efforts to bolster the healthcare sector in Syria and ensure access to specialized medical care for the most vulnerable populations. It aligns with an overarching humanitarian strategy that bridges urgent emergency responses with long-term, sustainable impacts.
Similar medical campaigns previously carried out by Qatar Charity across various nations aim to reduce child mortality rates caused by congenital heart defects. Notably, between May 2021 and 2025, these continuous humanitarian initiatives have successfully treated approximately 900 children across 9 countries globally.