Meet Akim, a six-year-old boy from Haiti who lives with his mother, father, grandparents, and little sister. According to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), “Akim is in first grade, and likes going to school. When he is not in school he likes drawing and listening to music.”
Akim was born with a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. This means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers (or “ventricles”) of his heart. Blood from one ventricle leaks into the other without first getting oxygen from the lungs.
Due to his condition, the blood that is pumped out of Akim’s heart to his body is not oxygen-rich. Consequently, Akim often has trouble breathing. HCA tells us that if left untreated, Akim’s condition could lead to serious health complications.
Health City Caymen Islands has contributed $7,500 toward Akim's treatment. An additional $1,500 will cover overseas transportation costs. Akim's surgery will repair the hole in his heart, and restore normal blood flow.
Akim shares, “I am excited about going to the hospital because it means I will be healthy after I leave."