Havana, August 27 (RHC)-- Some 10,000 children have benefited from the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program of the William Soler Cardio center in Havana.

The medical center was founded by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, on August 26, 1986.

Since then, some 10,000 infants have undergone surgery and received rehabilitation in the facility.

The children may have annual, biennial or triennial follow up, and in the case of the most severe congenital cardiopathies, they receive follow ups for life, said Dr. Jesús Francisco Carballés, head of the Child's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

In an interview with the Cuban News Agency, Dr. Carballes explained that in provinces, patients receive care through the Cardio pediatric Network, the cornerstone of the cardio center, where sequelae are detected that can be prevented to avoid late complications.

The "William Soler" Cardio center currently care for infants operated on through open-heart surgery or through other kind of interventions that, in addition to being used as a diagnosis, in many cases replaces surgery, he said.

The director of Child's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program  said that at present all congenital cardiac patients of any age, including adults, are treated at the William Soler Cardio center and are also treated at its Rehabilitation Center.