9 Afghan children in Pakistan for heart surgeries

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Nine ailing Afghan children needing open heart surgeries have arrived in Pakistan, officials said.

The children will undergo operations free of cost at the Al-Khidmat Hospital in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province.

Late on Friday, Al-Khidmat Foundation representatives and surgeons received the patients in Torkham town.

Apart from local officials, parents of the ailing children and civil society members welcomed the children and showered rose petals on them.

Dr Abdul Malik of Al-Khidmat Foundation they their hospitals would free heart surgeries on at least 40 Afghan children.

All under 10 years of age, the nine children would be operated on in the first phase, he said, adding the other patients would undergo surgeries later on.

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