World Pediatrics and Four Foundations Sign Agreement to Deliver Life-Saving Cardiac Care and Build Long-Term Local Capacity
Tegucigalpa, Honduras — June 24, 2025 — In a groundbreaking act of collaboration, World Pediatrics joined forces with Fundación Nasser, the McKean Family Foundation, Fundación María, and Fundación Amigos del Hospital María to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Hospital María in Tegucigalpa, launching the Interim Pediatric Cardiac Care Program —a national response to Honduras’ urgent need for advanced pediatric cardiac care.
This historic agreement is projected to mobilize over USD $2 million in services for Honduran children and will ensure that at least 115 children receive life-saving heart surgeries in its first year alone. The program also lays the foundation for long-term sustainability, with more than 1,400 hours of hands-on training and knowledge transfer planned for Honduran surgeons and nursing staff at Hospital María.
The initiative comes at a critical time for the country. With the passing of Hospital María Especialidades Pediátricas (HMEP) only pediatric cardiac surgeon earlier this year and more than 370 children on the cardiac waiting lists—88% of whom have exceeded clinically safe timelines for surgical intervention.
“There is nothing more powerful than unity of purpose. This is what sustainable change looks like—bringing together local leadership, international partners, and a shared commitment to transforming healthcare access for children,” said Vafa Akhavan, CEO of World Pediatrics. “This agreement is a major step forward—not only for the children receiving care now, but for the future of pediatric medicine in Honduras.”
This partnership builds on the longstanding collaboration between World Pediatrics and Hospital María, where a three-phase, five-year sustainability plan is already in place to strengthen institutional capacity and expand access to specialty care. It also reinforces World Pediatrics’ core commitment to building local ownership through education, clinical exchange, and partnerships that last.
This collaborative model—uniting international and Honduran organizations with a shared vision—has drawn praise across sectors. In a public statement, Miguel Nasser, Director of Fundación Nasser, noted:
“This alliance was not born to cover an absence, but to build a response that endures. Each child whose life is saved strengthens the future and hope of our country.”
The Interim Pediatric Cardiac Care Program is more than a response to a crisis—it is a powerful investment in Honduras’ future. It ensures that the next generation of children can grow up with strong hearts, and that the next generation of Honduran providers will have the tools and training they need to care for them.
About World Pediatrics
World Pediatrics transforms access to advanced pediatric healthcare by delivering surgical and specialty care, empowering local providers, and building sustainable solutions with communities around the world. Since its founding, the organization has provided services to nearly 28,000 children across 27 countries, mobilizing more than $280 million in donated medical care and expertise.
Press Contact:
Romina Newman
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications – World Pediatrics
[email protected] | 804-637-2611 | worldpediatrics.org