Global Coalition for Pediatric and Congenital Hearts

Global ARCH / Global Coalition for Pediatric and Congenital Hearts

Global ARCH is proud to launch the Global Coalition for Pediatric and Congenital Hearts in partnership with Children’s HeartLink. Through collaborative global advocacy efforts, the coalition seeks to reduce inequities in access to quality health care for pediatric and congenital heart disease patients in low- and middle-income countries.

A Call to Action on Addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases

The Global Coalition was formed in January 2024 as a direct result of the Call to Action on Addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases, endorsed by over 1,500 advocates and organizations from more than 90 countries in the lead-up to the 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in August 2023.

Today, the Global Coalition for Pediatric and Congenital Hearts focuses its work on four key actions:

  1. Improve patient care capacity
  2. Train and hire sufficient healthcare providers
  3. Secure sustainable financing for pediatric cardiac care
  4. Invest in research to advance treatments

Get involved with the coalition today:

Join the Global Coalition that will advocate for better access to quality lifelong pediatric and congenital cardiac care in low- and middle-income countries.

 

Spread the word on email, social media, and more! We believe that our collective voice will make a bigger impact in reducing the global inequities in access to quality lifelong pediatric and congenital cardiac care. 

Resources and Past Global Coalition Events

We’re proud to share valuable resources for our coalition members, designed to support our members in their efforts. 

Our previous Global Coalition webinars and events were a great success and brought together experts to share insights and foster meaningful discussions. If you missed any of the sessions, recordings and these valuable resources are available for you to explore below!

The Need For Global Action on Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases: Why and How

Past Events

Nahimeh Jaffar 

Nahimeh Jaffar has worked as a certified Project Manager (PMP) in various fields, including Public Health, Biotech, and Pharmaceuticals, working within clinical settings such as hospitals and clinics. In addition, she worked with global communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, supporting various social impact projects. Ms. Jaffar has been involved in preventive health initiatives in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC, USA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS, USA).

 

Ms. Jaffar holds an MBA in Business Development from the Swiss Institute of Higher Management, Vevey, Switzerland, and a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Affairs from California State University, Northridge, USA.

Amy Verstappen, President

Amy Verstappen has been a patient advocate and health educator since 1996, when her own challenges living with a complex heart defect led her to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, where she served as president from 2001 to 2013. She has served as an advisor to the Centers for Disease Control the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; and the International Society for Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease, and worked with congenital heart patient and professional groups throughout the USA and the world.  Ms. Verstappen received a Masters in Education in 1990 and a Masters in Global Health in 2019.