The French association The Heart Fund has designed a medical aircraft offering access to cardiological care to vulnerable populations.
The Cannes Film Festival is not just a gathering of stars from the cinema and the world of show business. On the sidelines of the sequins and the red carpet, charity galas are organized and great initiatives are honored.
This year at the Generous People gala, The Heart Fund, a French endowment fund aimed at improving the cardiovascular health of vulnerable populations, will present a humanitarian film on its medical aircraft called “The Heart Jet” produced in Haiti by Rachid Dhibou.
A flying hospital
Imagined two years ago at the same gala, this project was launched by Dr David Luu, cardiac surgeon and founder of The Heart Fund. Actors such as Leonardo Di Caprio or the footballer Didier Drogba participated in the financing of this “first cardiological plane in the world”.
Together with humanitarian doctors, pilots and aviation experts, Dr Luu opted for a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine, turboprop aircraft capable of landing on any runway in the world. It can carry up to 6 people, and more importantly: it has all the devices necessary for cardiological care. Cardiac ultrasound, analysis laboratory, telemedicine platform, electrocardiogram, everything has been designed to prevent patients from having to travel miles to receive treatment.
Diagnose complex diseases
A hospital plane which has already carried out its first mission in Haiti. About a hundred patients, including children, living in areas very far from the capital Port-au-Prince were examined and cared for by specialists. Using advanced technology on board, doctors have successfully diagnosed complex congenital heart disease.
“The Heart Jet is a real revolution! The solution for people who do not have access to cardiological care for lack of financial resources, or because of their geographic isolation, ”welcomed the endowment fund.
Created in 2010, The Heart Fund develops other mobile health programs such as mobile clinics in trucks or connected platforms. It also trains professionals and participates in cardiac surgery and transplantation missions in developing countries in partnership with the United Nations.
.
