Access to specialized medical care is often out of reach for families displaced by conflict. In Jordan and neighboring Syria, vulnerable heart patients face staggering hospital fees and limited healthcare infrastructure. However, a collaborative medical initiative has bridged these divides, enabling skilled surgeons to deliver life-saving treatments to those who need them most.
A partnership rooted in trust
The journey began when Chiou-Hwa Chen (陳秋華), the CEO of Tzu Chi Jordan, encountered a critical case involving a twelve-year-old Syrian girl suffering from a severe heart condition. Initial hospital estimates for her surgery reached an unaffordable 15,000 Jordanian dinars (about 21,000 USD) . Seeking a second evaluation, Chen connected with Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed reviewed the case and determined the actual medical costs were significantly lower, billing only 6,000 Jordanian dinars (about 8,400 USD). Rather than inflating fees for a vulnerable patient, the surgeon demonstrated profound integrity and compassion. This transparent interaction laid the foundation for an enduring partnership between the medical team and international volunteers.
Over the years, this collaboration expanded steadily. Dr. Ahmed began performing regular cardiac procedures for referred patients, while encouraging families to contribute according to their financial capacity. When procedures could be simplified—such as utilizing balloon dilation instead of invasive surgery—he immediately reduced costs, passing the savings directly to the patients.
Expanding care and education
Sustained medical outreach extends beyond immediate clinical interventions, supporting the families who make this vital work possible. Recognizing the modest compensation doctors receive for humanitarian surgeries, assistance has also been extended to Dr. Ahmed's family. His eldest son received educational support to pursue medical studies in Jordan, and his daughter became a scholarship recipient, stabilizing their household and allowing him to dedicate himself entirely to patient care.
Dr. Ahmed (left), a Syrian refugee from Jordan, listens attentively to the presentation with translation support. |Photo: Cheng-Tao Chen (陳貞桃)
Between 2017 and 2026, Dr. Ahmed successfully completed over two hundred heart surgeries for referred patients. Following shifts in regional stability, he began regularly traveling by public transportation back into Syria to perform free cardiac surgeries for local compatriots. To date, he has completed multiple medical missions, treating hundreds of patients who otherwise lacked access to surgical care.
Since the civil war began, many organizations have left, but only Tzu Chi remains steadfast. — Dr. Ahmed, Cardiologist
Inspiring the next generation
At the International Tzu Chi Medical Association (TIMA) annual gathering, medical professionals from around the globe gathered to exchange experiences and learn from these humanitarian efforts. Ziyu Li (李子鈺), a twenty-seven-year-old doctor attending for the first time from Kuala Lumpur, was deeply moved by the accounts of resilience and dedication.
LEFT: Dr. Ahmed (center), who represented Jordan, waved joyfully to attendees at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual TIMA Conference. RIGHT: Dr. Ahmed (left), Dr. Amjad (center), and Mrs. Amjad (right) are all attending the Annual TIMA Conference for the fourth time. |Photos: Chun-Hsien Lin
When medical expertise is paired with genuine empathy, healing extends far beyond physical recovery. By empowering local medical professionals and supporting displaced families, humanitarian initiatives cultivate enduring ripples of kindness that continue to transform communities across borders.
Written by Pao-Chin Wen (溫寶琴)
