Ben Randel

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician serving at the Hospital of Hope in Togo, West Africa.

In Person

Securing Heart Surgery for Children in LMIC's

  • Breakout Session
  • Student Building (Block) SMC 301 The Porch
  • November 12 2022 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Globally, congenital heart disease (CHD) is prevalent in approximately 1.8 per 100 live births making it a substantial contributor to infant mortality. (Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2020). This is especially true in LMIC's where access to diagnostic, therapeutic and corrective resources is limited. While many organizations exist to address these challenging statistics, for the child in rural Africa and elsewhere around the world, access remains limited. Missionary physicians and other providers often find themselves in the moral vortex of pursuing insurmountable logistics for one patient versus the many other needs they face in their respective healthcare setting. As the prevalence of CHD continues to rise, missionary health care providers are uniquely positioned to address this need while also being able to advance the Gospel through robust relationships with patients and their families.