Philippines to Kerala... New life for 10-year-old

Gil Merced can now run, jump and play like other children his age.

The 10-year old Filipino boy was suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot - a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect that does not let enough blood enter the lungs for oxygenation. Even walking a few steps was an arduous task – his oxygen levels would drop and he would faint.

The third child of Gil Gatdula and Mercedita, a couple from the Philippines settled  in Dubai, Gil Merced could not be operated for his condition till now as  his family could not afford to pay  for the surgery, a highly complicated  and expensive procedure.

Gil’s condition kept deteriorating and his parents kept trying their level best to raise funds for his treatment without much success.

Dr Moopen’s Foundation, a charitable organisation, took up the cause of Gil’s treatment under its ‘Healing Touch - Little Hearts’ Programme - an international social initiative which offers free cardiac surgery to underprivileged children in the Philippines.

Gil Merced and his family, along with Sr Kochu Theresa from St Mary’s Convent were flown down to Aster Medcity in Kochi, Kerala.

On the August 5, 2014,  a paediatric cardiac surgeon,  performed one of the most complex and specialised procedures in pediatric cardiac surgery.

According to the Doctors, Gil Merced  is now on his way to living a normal  life.

He was discharged on the August 14 and will be staying in  Kochi for another week.

Dr Azad Moopen said, “Gil Merced is a fighter and we are happy that we could bring together all the facilities that were needed to heal his little heart and give him a normal life.”

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