Correct Irha’s Heart Defects with Surgery

Irha Zahid's Story

Irha Zahid, a 2-year-old girl from Sahiwal, has been battling with severe health complications since the moment she was born. Her parents noticed early signs of distress—difficulty in breathing, chest discomfort, and extreme fatigue even during simple activities like crying or attempting to play. Alarmed by her condition, her family received medical consultation. After a thorough evaluation, Irha was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Pulmonary Atresia (PA). Irha has a history of BT Shunt Surgery that was previously performed to stabilize her condition. While the BT Shunt helped to temporarily improve blood flow to her lungs, it is not a permanent solution. During her recent follow-up, her doctor recommended a more definitive and life-saving procedure, the Rastelli Procedure. It is an open-heart surgery that will correct the structural defects and allow her heart and lungs to function properly.

Without this surgery, Irha’s condition will progressively worsen, leading to heart failure and life-threatening complications.

Irha lives in a modest home with her parents and one sibling. Her father works as a laborer and earns only PKR 25,000 per month. With this meager income, they barely pay utility bills of PKR 1,500 and daily living expenses that leave little room for savings. Despite their love and best efforts, Irha’s family is unable to afford the cost of this essential surgery. During this challenging time, Irha’s family has contacted Transparent Hands and asked for help.

Irha’s parents said in despair:

“Every breath Irha takes feels like a struggle, and it breaks our hearts to see her like this. We’ve done everything we could, but we can’t do this alone. We just want her to grow up, play, and live a healthy life like other children. Kindly help us during this difficult time.”

Irha’s chance at a normal life depends entirely on this critical surgery. With your support, we can help restore her strength, relieve her from the discomfort she experiences daily, and give her the future she deserves.