The Media Office of Imam Zain Al-Abideen Teaching Hospital—affiliated with the Authority for Health and Medical Education at the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain—announced the successful completion of 18 open-heart surgeries on children with complex congenital heart defects within a single week.

The procedures were carried out as part of a medical outreach and recruitment program in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, with the participation of a specialized Georgian medical team from the European Center.

Media official Mustafa Al-Mousawi stated that these surgeries are in line with the strategic vision of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain, implemented through its network of healthcare institutions, to deliver advanced, high-quality medical services in the country. He noted that cases were carefully selected based on the complexity of the conditions, and that all necessary technical resources and specialized medical teams were mobilized to ensure the highest standards of care and safety.

He added that the collaboration with the Georgian team extends beyond surgical procedures to include knowledge exchange and hands-on training for local medical personnel, particularly in the latest techniques in pediatric cardiac and thoracic surgery.

These efforts are part of a broader initiative to strengthen collaboration between local healthcare institutions and international medical experts. The goal is to enhance domestic treatment capabilities, reduce the need for patients to travel abroad, and ease the financial and emotional burden on families seeking specialized care.