Bhutan–Mongolia Relations Deepen through Collaborative Efforts in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
On April 8, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, H.E. Batmunkh Battsetseg, visited the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Songdo Hospital in Ulaanbaatar to meet with young children undergoing cardiac treatment and their caregivers. The visit highlighted the success of the surgeries and the stable recovery of the patients, including three children from the Kingdom of Bhutan.
These children, who would otherwise not have access to life-saving cardiac treatment in their home country, are currently receiving surgery and medical care in Mongolia free of charge through the “Heart Remembers” initiative — a humanitarian project committed to providing cardiac surgery to children in need across the region.
As part of this year’s efforts, over 200 Bhutanese children have already undergone medical screening in Bhutan, with 85 of them identified for surgery. So far, 8 Bhutanese children have successfully undergone cardiac surgery in Mongolia, with 2 more expected to arrive soon, according to project coordinator Dr. B. Boldsaikhan.
Since its launch in 2020, the “Heart Remembers” initiative has provided over 1,300 free heart surgeries and medical consultations for more than 40,000 children. The project extends its services beyond Mongolia to include underserved children from Inner Mongolia (China), Tuva (Russia), Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and other neighboring regions, making it one of the largest humanitarian initiatives in the field of pediatric cardiac health in Asia.
The successful collaboration between Mongolian and Bhutanese governments, hospitals, and humanitarian organizations showcases a remarkable example of compassion and regional solidarity. Minister Battsetseg expressed her appreciation for the team’s efforts and emphasized that such projects further strengthen the warm and friendly ties between the two countries.
As Mongolia continues to grow as a regional center for humanitarian healthcare, initiatives like “Heart Remembers” bring hope and healing to countless families. The vision to establish a world-class Cardiac Center of Excellence for Children in Mongolia is already becoming a reality — one heartbeat at a time.
