Zakarpattia is the most western region of Ukraine. Surrounded from the North and East by the Carpathian mountains and from the West and South 4 EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania). In recent years the population of the region increased from under 1,2 million people to over 1,6 million due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine. For now it is the safest region in Ukraine. There are about one hundred children per year with congenital heart diseases that require surgery in Zakarpattia. And this number grows, as more people come from other regions. All cardiac surgery centres are situated to the East of the country with the nearest in Lviv city at a distance more than 300 km. But it is challenging for newborn and critical patients to travel over the mountains. And most parents are afraid to go to the capital or eastern cities for medical help due to the danger of missile attacks.

Zakarpattia Regional Children’s Hospital is a main state hospital for children in the region. Hospital located in Mukachevo, in the middle of Zakarpattia, with very good logistic access. Now, there is a congenital heart surgery program started in Zakarpattia. Since 2023, there has been a cardiothoracic surgeon and cardiologist, both trained in congenital heart disease treatment. Following growing needs, a Congenital Heart Surgery Program has been started. Program is supported by a few minor local charity funds and local communities. For now a team of doctors can perform surgery of congenital heart defects that doesn’t need utilisation of cardiac bypass, such as patent ductus arteriosus, aortic coarctation, Blalock-Taussig shunts, etc. For further development of the Congenital Heart Surgery Program there are plans to reconstruct an old two-floor building for Cardio-Thoracic department with intensive care unit and separate operating theatre with suitable equipment. For that reason the hospital seeks financial help through granting, as the main effort of the Ukrainian government concentrated on military defence from unprovoked attack of Russia. One of the most needed parts of equipment for now is the heart-lung machine. Obtaining cardiac bypass equipment allows to expand the range of surgical procedures performed for children in Zakarpattia.

Development of Congenital Heart Surgery Program in Zakarpattia Regional Children’s Hospital will bring surgical services closer to paediatric population in need in the safest way possible in times of war.