Daniel
Daniel, his 10-year-old brother, and their parents live in a simple brick room built by their father in the town of Pando in northwestern Bolivia. At a well-child check-up when Daniel was five weeks old, the pediatrician detected unusual heart sounds. He referred the baby for cardiac evaluation at the nearby Pando Hospital. After performing an echocardiogram, the specialist told Daniel’s parents that his heart did not develop correctly, but offered little guidance as to what could be done about it. His parents did not fully understand the diagnosis, and went about their lives. Daniel grew into a sweet and playful toddler, but he tired quickly and lagged behind his peers. He was tiny for his age, and was frequently hospitalized with respiratory infections. Doctors suggested Daniel needed surgery, but no hospital in their state – and no public hospital in the country – performed the complex procedures Daniel needed. Care in a private hospital was unimaginable for Daniel’s parents who earn roughly $500 dollars a month between them.
In early October 2022, Puente de Solidaridad and a German nonprofit called Herzverein organized a children’s heart screening clinic in Cobija, the capital of the state of Pando. The family took Daniel for the free assessment. The visiting cardiologists confirmed a diagnosis of tetralogy of fallot. The condition cannot be fully corrected but can be managed with a series of delicate surgeries. They referred Daniel for treatment through the Solidarity Bridge/ Puente de Solidaridad heart program. It was a challenge for the family to organize the logistics and cover the cost of travel to Cochabamba for the surgery, but it was worth it! Daniel underwent open heart surgery on February 13, performed by Dr. Carlos Brockmann and Dr. Paola Rodriguez. He was discharged four days later, and is now home in Pando.
Daniel’s mother messaged Puente de Solidaridad’s social worker a few days after their return:
"I want to tell you we are in our home with my son … he is better thank God. We are very grateful to you and to [Puente de Solidaridad] for helping us so that my son could be operated... I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I ask God to bless you always!"