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Healing Valves Ethiopia Conducts One of Its Largest School-Based RHD Awareness and Screening Campaigns

Today, Healing Valves Ethiopia successfully carried out one of its largest school-based Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) awareness and screening campaigns at Yekatit 23 High School, reaching nearly 2,000 students through comprehensive awareness sessions and cardiovascular health screenings.

This impactful initiative was implemented through the collaboration of Healing Valves Ethiopia, Starchain Medical Equipment Import, HATCH Technologies, and Give Society Ethiopia. The campaign focused on increasing awareness of Rheumatic Heart Disease among young people while promoting the importance of early detection, prevention, and timely medical intervention.

Rheumatic Heart Disease continues to affect thousands of children and young adults in Ethiopia, often due to limited awareness and delayed diagnosis. Through educational sessions delivered during the campaign, students were informed about the causes, symptoms, prevention methods, and long-term impact of RHD. In addition, physical examinations and screening activities were conducted to identify students who may require further medical evaluation.

Students with positive physical findings underwent echocardiography examinations conducted voluntarily by the radiology resident staff of Black Lion Hospital. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment played a critical role in ensuring quality screening and assessment during the campaign.

Healing Valves Ethiopia extends its deepest appreciation to all collaborating organizations, volunteers, coordinators, healthcare professionals, and technical teams who contributed to the success of this initiative. Although this campaign was conducted on a voluntary basis, it required extraordinary teamwork, coordination, compassion, and commitment from every individual involved.

We would especially like to acknowledge:

• Give Society Ethiopia and its outstanding coordinators for their exceptional organization, mobilization, and support throughout the campaign.

• The radiology resident staff of Black Lion Hospital for generously volunteering their expertise in conducting echocardiography screenings for students with positive findings.

• Starchain Medical Equipment Import for generously supporting this campaign by providing their advanced AI-integrated portable echocardiography machine and technical assistance. The availability of this state-of-the-art technology significantly enhanced the efficiency and quality of the screening process. We also sincerely appreciate their technicians for their valuable support and collaboration throughout the campaign.

This campaign marks a significant milestone for Healing Valves Ethiopia and reflects our continued commitment to protecting the cardiovascular health of Ethiopian children and young people through awareness creation, early screening, and collaborative public health interventions.

We believe that today’s campaign has made a meaningful contribution toward increasing awareness of Rheumatic Heart Disease and inspiring collective action to address preventable cardiovascular diseases within our communities.

Healing Valves Ethiopia remains committed to expanding similar initiatives across schools and communities in Ethiopia in partnership with organizations and individuals who share our vision of creating healthier futures for children and young people.

Happy Adwa Victory Day.
On this historic Yekatit 23, we honor the remarkable triumph at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 G.C (1888 E.C), where Ethiopian forces united under visionary leadership and decisively defeated colonial invasion. At a time when much of Africa was under foreign domination, Adwa stood as a defining moment of sovereignty, resilience, and collective strength. It was more than a military victory. It was a declaration of dignity and unity that continues to inspire generations.
At Healing Valves Ethiopia, the legacy of Adwa resonates deeply in our work. Our battlefield is different, yet the mission remains the same: to protect life and defend the future of our people. Every successful surgery, every restored heartbeat, and every life given a second chance represents a quiet but powerful victory. We are profoundly grateful to the organizations, partners, volunteers, and compassionate individuals whose dedication makes these daily victories possible. In honoring Adwa, we recommit ourselves to unity, service, and the unwavering belief that together, we can overcome any challenge.

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

This Christmas, as light gathers in our homes and hearts, we step toward a new year carrying the echoes of the 42 lives you changed.

We invite you to keep walking this path with us, to stand together against Rheumatic Heart Disease by echoing our message and amplifying our mission.
Be part of a meaningful journey that is shaping history:

𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝑯𝑫, 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒂.

🎁 Make your Christmas gift a second chance at life.
By Donating via
Siket Bank- 1000010129196 Healing Valves Ethiopia
- 1000010129277 USD account
𝐂𝐁𝐄 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 - 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟖𝟐𝟕𝟔𝟗𝟓𝟐𝟑 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚

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Siket Bank and HVE Join Forces to Expand Lifesaving Cardiac Care

Healing Valves Ethiopia (HVE) is honored to announce a landmark partnership with Siket Bank S.C., a financial institution led by visionary leadership and a deep sense of national responsibility.
Siket Bank has chosen a path rarely taken in Ethiopia’s philanthropic landscape: directing its resources toward children standing at the edge of preventable death caused by Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a condition that tragically begins with untreated tonsillitis and progresses into irreversible heart valve damage.
From a long list of grant requests and thoughtful evaluation process, came a final decision - to invest in lifesaving cardiac surgeries for underprivileged children. This commitment reflects not just a corporate gesture but a moment of national significance in the fight against RHD, the leading cause of heart-failure-related deaths in Ethiopia.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding, Siket Bank has pledged to fund four heart surgeries every year, marking one of the most profound institutional commitments ever made toward tackling RHD in Ethiopia. This partnership is more than support; it is a turning point in the country’s public health history, a model of what purposeful collaboration can achieve.
Healing Valves Ethiopia extends its deepest appreciation to CEO Damtew Alemayehu, Vice CEO Dr. Meaza Wondimu, the executive leadership, and all employees of Siket Bank for their heartfelt help in the process. Their support gives children a second chance at life, strengthens the national response to RHD, and moves us closer to a future where no child dies from a preventable disease.
This is a shared milestone. A shared victory. A shared history being written.

Imagine being punished for an illness you didn’t know you had.

She was scolded
for moving slowly,
for resting too often,
for breathing too hard.
Her father even beat her, believing she was simply refusing to help at home.
Fifteen years old Emebet, from Arbaminch, carrying an illness no one recognized.
A child punished for the very weakness she had no control over.

Emebet Bergena became HVE’s 42nd patient today to receive life-saving cardiac surgery, which costs around 1.3 million ETH birr and led by the pioneer Dr. Fekede Agwar and his dedicated team.

After 5 hours in the operating room, She is now in the ICU, stable and recovering.
Her journey reveals a larger truth. The battle behind Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a condition that is over 99 percent preventable, yet continues to steal the childhoods of so many in our society. Her story shows how misunderstanding, delayed care, and lack of awareness turn a treatable illness into a life-threatening struggle.
Our sincere gratitude extends to everyone who made this possible. donors, volunteers, supporters, and the surgical team whose dedication brought hope back into her life.
Stay tuned for updates on her healing in the coming days.

Public Health Alert: Hemorrhagic Fever Reported in Jinka, Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State. Eight suspected cases have already been identified, and a rapid response team is now on the ground to investigate and control the spread.
Hemorrhagic fever is a serious illness that can worsen quickly, so staying informed and cautious is very important.
Common symptoms that people should watch for include:
• Sudden high fever
• Strong headache
• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Unusual bleeding from the nose, gums, or in stool
• Pain in the muscles or joints
If you or anyone around you develops these symptoms, especially after recent travel to Jinka or contact with someone who is sick, seek medical help immediately.
How to protect yourself:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever or bleeding symptoms
• Keep your surroundings clean
• Do not touch or handle bodily fluids from anyone who is ill
• Follow updates from health authorities
This alert is not to create fear, but to keep everyone safe through awareness and quick action.
Please stay cautious, look out for symptoms, and share this information with others.

Empowering Young Minds: RHD Awareness Training at Ethio Parents School.

Healing Valves Ethiopia had the honor of leading an engaging and insightful training session for high school students at Ethio Parents School, organized at the invitation of the High School Students RHD Network.
This one-of-a-kind session brought together vibrant young minds eager to learn about Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) - its causes, prevention, and the crucial role of youth in promoting heart health and community awareness.
At Healing Valves Ethiopia, we believe that sustainable change begins in the classroom. By empowering students with knowledge and responsibility, we are nurturing a new generation of informed advocates who will carry forward the fight against RHD in their schools and beyond.
We are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm and engagement shown by the students and organizers, and this is only the beginning.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝.

Today, we celebrate a milestone that means more than numbers.
40 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 - 40 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.
We celebrate this moment with Tsion, a 13-year-old girl now recovering well in the ICU after her open-heart surgery, performed by our pioneer cardiac surgeon Fekede Agwar and our surgical team.
At such a young age, Tsion has already seen the quiet strength of love.
She’s watched her elderly parents sacrifice so much to see her smile again.
She’s felt the kindness of her friends, the ones who noticed when she couldn’t keep up, who waited when her heart couldn’t.

Now, with a new chance at life, Tsion dreams big.
She says she wants to be the President one day, to change many things for children like her.
At Healing Valves Ethiopia, we call it treatment.
But for Tsion, it’s life finding its way back.

We are deeply grateful to our donors, the true backbone of this mission,
and to our volunteer members, whose time, love, and faith make healing possible.
Through every surgery, we continue to raise awareness for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) , and to help as many children as we can breathe, run, and dream again.
🙏 Join us in any way you can, cause every contribution, every act of kindness, every shared message matters.
Together, we can give more children a second chance at life.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦.

ON Sep 1, 2025 Our team completed a three-round RHD awareness course with over 300 students from various high schools.
At Healing Valves Ethiopia, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow up with a healthy heart. Yet Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a preventable illness, continues to affect millions of people worldwide, with countries like Ethiopia carrying one of the heaviest burdens.
Through our programs, we are working to change this reality by combining:
✅ Cardiac Care & Support
✅ Awareness
And These Program was was one of our most powerful steps yet. From this initiative, we established our High School RHD Network, where students will continue to share this basic education with their peers, families, and wider communities.
We remain deeply grateful to Blue Health Ethiopia for their partnership and support in making initiatives like this possible. They’re doing an incredible job equipping both professionals and non-professionals with lifesaving emergency skills and knowledge as Ethiopia’s training hub for the American Heart Association a mission we’re honored to stand beside.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦
ON July10, 2025 , we wrapped up Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) course given for 4 consecutive days in 6 classes spanning over 150+students, held in partnership with Blue Health Ethiopia.
Children are most at risk for tonsillitis which can later lead to Rheumatic heart disease. Many are still waiting for heart surgery, and far too many are lost before they get the chance.
That’s why this class matters. We are not just talking about surgery we are talking about prevention, starting in classrooms and schools. And we are reaching the problem at its root.
This effort is a strong step forward in our mission at Healing Valves Ethiopia, and we’re deeply grateful to the entire Blue Health Ethiopia team for making it possible.
It was more than a class, it was a shared effort to protect children before they ever need surgery.