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NCDS Okhmatdyt Heart Surgery for Angelina

NCDS Okhmatdyt Heart Surgery for Angelina

A recent Nova Ukraine donation to National Children’s Hospital “Okhmatdyt” (NDSL Okhmatdyt) is already saving lives.

Angelina, a 3-year-old Ukrainian girl with scoliosis and a critical heart defect, has a bright future to look forward to thanks to vital treatment at NDSL Okhmatdyt, carried out with resources provided by Nova Ukraine.

Angelina’s Story

See the images on Instagram.

Little Angelina was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis at just six months old. Scoliosis is an irregular S- or C-shaped curvature of the spine that causes skeletal issues and affects the function of the lungs, heart, and other organs. Experts at NDSL Okhmatdyt first provided Angelina with outpatient treatment and a Chenot corset, which corrected her scoliosis while allowing for ongoing adjustments to guide healthy growth.

During an examination at NDSL Okmatdyt, doctors discovered a new condition: atrial septal defect. Colloquially called “hole in the heart,” a septal defect is an opening between two of the heart’s four chambers. Andrii Maksymenko, Head of the Interventional Radiology Department, explains:

“There are two current methods for closing such a defect. The first is surgical correction, where surgeons close the defect with a patch through a chest incision. while using cardiopulmonary bypass. The second method—which is less invasive—is the endovascular implantation of an occluder device into the defect.”

How Donations Save Lives

How Donations Save Lives

Angelina’s scoliosis meant it was vital for her to receive the least invasive and traumatic procedure possible – aggressive treatment could negatively impact her delicate health.

Nova Ukraine stepped in to help. Through our donors, we were able to provide NDSL Okmatdyt with nine occluder devices, giving the surgical team the tools they needed to help Angelina and other children suffering from similar issues. The procedure was a total success.

Driving Better Health Outcomes Across Ukraine

Watch the video on Instagram.

Angelina is doing well and is under observation at NDSL Okmatdyt. Yullia, Angelina’s mother, spoke to our team:

“We are deeply grateful to the doctors at Okhmatdyt for saving our daughter’s life. Thank you to the Nova Ukraine Foundation for helping purchase the occluder needed for this complex surgery. We wish you continued growth and success in helping doctors and patients.”

NDSL Okmatdyt also thanked Nova Ukraine, saying that donations like the occluders are precisely the kind of support that make essential medical interventions accessible to children in need across Ukraine.

Here at Nova Ukraine, one of our four core pillars is HEAL: we are dedicated to providing Ukrainians like Angelina and her family with all the tools, care, and expertise they need for good health, both now and in the future.

We join NDSL Okmatdyt in wishing Angelina good health, strength, and a happy childhood!

Oct 14, 2026

Matt Salter

Matt Salter
NCDS Okhmatdyt Heart Surgery for Angelina
Oct 14, 2026

Matt Salter

Matt Salter

A recent Nova Ukraine donation to National Children’s Hospital “Okhmatdyt” (NDSL Okhmatdyt) is already saving lives.

Angelina, a 3-year-old Ukrainian girl with scoliosis and a critical heart defect, has a bright future to look forward to thanks to vital treatment at NDSL Okhmatdyt, carried out with resources provided by Nova Ukraine.

Angelina’s Story

See the images on Instagram.

Little Angelina was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis at just six months old. Scoliosis is an irregular S- or C-shaped curvature of the spine that causes skeletal issues and affects the function of the lungs, heart, and other organs. Experts at NDSL Okhmatdyt first provided Angelina with outpatient treatment and a Chenot corset, which corrected her scoliosis while allowing for ongoing adjustments to guide healthy growth.

During an examination at NDSL Okmatdyt, doctors discovered a new condition: atrial septal defect. Colloquially called “hole in the heart,” a septal defect is an opening between two of the heart’s four chambers. Andrii Maksymenko, Head of the Interventional Radiology Department, explains:

“There are two current methods for closing such a defect. The first is surgical correction, where surgeons close the defect with a patch through a chest incision. while using cardiopulmonary bypass. The second method—which is less invasive—is the endovascular implantation of an occluder device into the defect.”

How Donations Save Lives

How Donations Save Lives

Angelina’s scoliosis meant it was vital for her to receive the least invasive and traumatic procedure possible – aggressive treatment could negatively impact her delicate health.

Nova Ukraine stepped in to help. Through our donors, we were able to provide NDSL Okmatdyt with nine occluder devices, giving the surgical team the tools they needed to help Angelina and other children suffering from similar issues. The procedure was a total success.

Driving Better Health Outcomes Across Ukraine

Watch the video on Instagram.

Angelina is doing well and is under observation at NDSL Okmatdyt. Yullia, Angelina’s mother, spoke to our team:

“We are deeply grateful to the doctors at Okhmatdyt for saving our daughter’s life. Thank you to the Nova Ukraine Foundation for helping purchase the occluder needed for this complex surgery. We wish you continued growth and success in helping doctors and patients.”

NDSL Okmatdyt also thanked Nova Ukraine, saying that donations like the occluders are precisely the kind of support that make essential medical interventions accessible to children in need across Ukraine.

Here at Nova Ukraine, one of our four core pillars is HEAL: we are dedicated to providing Ukrainians like Angelina and her family with all the tools, care, and expertise they need for good health, both now and in the future.

We join NDSL Okmatdyt in wishing Angelina good health, strength, and a happy childhood!

We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration.

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