A Place of Miracles

Neha Was the Smallest Infant to Ever be Treated and Survive in Afghanistan. An unusual partnership created the French Medical Institute for Children - two private, non-governmental organizations - the Aga Khan Development Network and the France-based humanitarian entity, La Chaine de l'Espoir, and two governments - the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and France. The result is an institution that has enabled children's lives to be saved that might have otherwise been lost. Nearly 1,600 children have been treated for congenital and acquired heart diseases, almost half of which had open-heart surgery. Arising during a time of seemingly never-ending war, FMIC is one of Afghanistan's most remarkable success stories. It has become the enabling catalyst for lives to be changed and dreams to be realized - a place where people have succeeded and survived against overwhelming obstacles and odds. As the U.S. and its allies prepare to shift their missions in Afghanistan from military and combat to aid and development, the general consensus is that nothing done in that war-torn country has been successful. FMIC is one of Afghanistan's most remarkable reconstruction success stories. It is a model that can be emulated as the U.S. and others strive to complete their development missions there. "FMIC has achieved many successes and achieved excellence in many fields in healthcare in Afghanistan. This Institute is a true example of a successful public-private partnership." Dr. Suraya Dalil, Afghanistan's Minister of Public Health, speaking at FMIC's 2nd International Pediatric Conference, December 2012. "When we have international societies with us and partnerships like FMIC, we can have hope for the future. This hope gives me energy to go ahead." Dr. Jalil Wardak, Head of Pediatric General Surgery at FMIC