Published November 21, 2024
Children’s HeartLink is pleased to announce our newest hospital partnership, marking a significant expansion of our global outreach and reinforcing our commitment to transforming pediatric cardiac care worldwide.
Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia (INC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will join more than 20 hospital partners and become our fifth in the country of Brazil.
“INC’s dedication to excellence in care, education and research is exactly what we look for in a partner. Their commitment to advancing pediatric cardiology services will make a significant impact on the lives of many children with heart disease in their region and beyond,” said Jackie Boucher, president of Children’s HeartLink. “This collaboration brings together INC and volunteers from the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s hospital to change the trajectory of children’s lives. Real lives, real families and real futures will be transformed within the hospital walls and throughout the community through this training partnership.”
The frightening reality and need for lifesaving care
Children are born every day with congenital heart disease (CHD) in Brazil, and there is an urgent need for specialized pediatric cardiac care to screen, diagnosis and treat them. Every year, an estimated 28,000 children are diagnosed with CHD in the country.
Worldwide it’s estimated that 1.3 million babies are born with CHD every year. 9 in 10 of those children will lack access to high-quality heart care due to where they are born.
The state of Rio de Janeiro where INC is located has a population of 16.4 million. The hospital sees between 1,800 and 2,000 children with CHD each year. Yet up to 85% of these children lack the necessary care for their heart conditions, and thousands of children are left without the essential diagnosis and treatment they need to survive and thrive.
This emphasizes not only the urgent need for expanded pediatric cardiac services but also the vital role of partnerships like the one between Children’s HeartLink and INC in bridging this significant healthcare divide.
Introducing INC as a Children’s HeartLink hospital partner
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, INC is a cornerstone in Brazil’s fight against heart disease. Its mission “to be a national reference center in cardiovascular care, with excellence in assistance, teaching, and research” aligns perfectly with the values of Children’s HeartLink.
The hospital has a full pediatric cardiac team, infrastructure in place, an active referral network and strong support from the Brazilian government. In 2022, INC performed 185 heart operations for children.
The support of Medtronic Foundation allowed Children’s HeartLink to begin this partnership.
INC will work alongside medical volunteers from Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute in a multi-year partnership. Dr. Renata Mattos, head of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Diseases at INC, explains how both partners will leverage their collective knowledge and experience to implement innovative approaches to improve the lives of children.
“This partnership holds immense importance for Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia and the children under our care who are battling CHD,” Mattos said. “By collaborating with Children’s HeartLink and Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute, we can access additional resources, training and support that will enable us to deliver even more comprehensive and effective care to our young patients. This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing the highest standard of care and ensuring that every child with CHD receives the treatment and support they need to thrive.”
Influencing pediatric cardiology throughout Brazil
Children’s HeartLink has been leading training partnerships in the country since 2009.
“We have seen incredible growth at our partner hospitals in Fortaleza, Recife, São José do Rio Preto and São Paulo,” said Andreas Tsakistos, the Children’s HeartLink country director for Brazil. “This collaboration with INC in Rio de Janeiro is an opportunity to support their program growth and influence broader systemic change, enhancing pediatric cardiac care across Brazil. They are really well positioned to influence policy, drive advancements in cardiac care and serve as a model for other institutions across the country.”
Children born with CHD in Brazil rely on government funding for care through a universal health care system called Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), and because of this, financial access is not a barrier to care. Instead, children in Brazil with CHD lack access to high-quality cardiac care because there aren’t enough pediatric cardiac specialists, care centers capable of performing comprehensive CHD treatment and care or resources at existing centers. The vision of Children’s HeartLink is that children around the world have access to high-quality heart care. Through partnerships with hospitals, we can provide support to make real lifesaving changes. INC is one of three hospitals in Brazil directly linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Health. This federal support not only underscores INC’s credibility and stability but also facilitates its critical mission in shaping the future of pediatric cardiac care in Brazil.
Welcoming the medical volunteer team from Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute
A pivotal element of this partnership is the introduction of a new medical volunteer team from Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute, which is rated one of the best pediatric health systems in the United States and renowned for its comprehensive care and innovative treatments.
Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute is recognized globally for its integrated approach to treating CHD, from prenatal life through adulthood. The team includes some of the world’s leading heart surgeons, cardiologists and pediatric specialists, and their involvement brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and advanced techniques to the partnership.
Dr. Mattos shared that the relationships forming between the teams are “characterized by friendship, mutual respect, shared goals and a commitment to collaboration.” During the first visit between these partners in Rio de Janeiro in December 2023, they discussed strengths and weaknesses and began thinking about solutions to challenges they face.
This new partnership signifies a major leap forward in our mission to improve pediatric cardiac care in Brazil. By combining the strengths of INC’s dedicated professionals with the world-class practices of Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute, we will set a new standard for treatment and care in the region. These teams are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children waiting for and deserving of care for their congenital heart conditions in Brazil.
