Maliha Mumtaz M., 12

Maliba Mumtaz Mourashi is a 12-year-old girl from a financially disadvantaged family of six living in Jamadar Para village, Panchagarh. Her father works as an agricultural laborer and earns approximately USD 77 per month, while her mother manages the household, making it difficult for the family to afford the high cost of heart surgery. Maliba is a bright and creative girl who enjoys drawing and dreams of becoming a schoolteacher, but chronic fatigue and breathing difficulties have affected her daily life. She was diagnosed with a 16×15 mm secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with a left-to-right shunt, which could lead to pulmonary hypertension and irreversible heart failure if left untreated. The family connected with Helpster Charity through Dr. Md. Abdullah Al-Mamun Hossain, giving Maliba the opportunity to receive the life-saving treatment she needed.

With Helpster’s support, Maliha was admitted to NICVD on August 9, 2026, and successfully underwent open-heart surgery on August 13 to close her heart defect. After a smooth 16-day hospital stay, she was discharged on August 24, 2026, with prescribed home medicines and rest. The surgery completely fixed her heart condition, allowing Maliha to recover comfortably at home and look forward to a healthy, active future.

According to the treatment plan, hospitalization, optimization, and GTTP closure of the secundum ASD are expected to correct the abnormal blood flow through the heart and improve Maliba’s breathing and overall functional condition. Successful closure may reduce the risk of recurrent respiratory infections and support better growth and daily activity. If the ASD remains untreated, the ongoing left-to-right shunt may place increasing strain on the heart and lungs, potentially leading to pulmonary hypertension, worsening symptoms, and eventually irreversible heart failure.