Arrangements are being made in Riyadh to perform surgery on a Polish infant, suffering from a genetic heart condition, following directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
One-year-old Jakub Przystki was flown to the Kingdom on Friday and is currently undergoing clinical tests in preparation for the operation.
Based on the royal directive, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, minister of National Guard, has directed officials at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) to take steps for the surgery. He also extended his thanks and gratitude to the king for his generous support to the health sector in the country.
Initial medical reports said the child’s condition requires complicated heart surgery and specialized medical care.
A KAMC official said that the infant underwent preliminary examinations and following it, a two-phase treatment plan has been prescribed. The first phase will be heart surgery in the course of this week. Then, after two to four weeks in the ICU, the child will be prepared for the second and last phase.
Arab News learned that the child has been receiving medical treatment since birth.
The 12-18 hour surgery has been planned by a medical team led by cardiac surgery consultant Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khalidi who specializes in such complex surgeries, supported by Dr. Omar Al-Tamimi, a consultant pediatric cardiologist and Dr. Mohammed Al-Islam, consultant anesthetist.
Speaking to Arab News, Polish Ambassador Witold Smidowski thanked the king for his humanitarian gesture. “I am also thankful to Prince Miteb bin Abdullah for his kind cooperation and interest in the matter,” he said.
The envoy recalled that this is not the first time the Kingdom has come forward to help Poland in providing free medical treatment. A set of conjoined twins from Warsaw was separated in the past, courtesy Saudi Arabia.
Agencies
