About Global Eagle Foundation
Global Eagle Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, that has been assisting with delivery of high technologically based surgical services in underdeveloped countries since 2004. GEF with the help of medical volunteers from North America and Western Europe has been providing free open heart surgery to indigents in underdeveloped countries. GEF has also over the years through partnerships with government and nongovernmental organizations have helped to establish new open heart surgery programs to improve local availability of these specialized services.
The programs are primarily geared towards local capacity building through skills transfer. However in addition to dearth of local expertise, healthcare cost and patient affordability also remain significant barriers to access and sustainability of these new programs. The average cost of open heart surgery ranges from $5000 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of the procedure. This high cost of care is beyond the reach of most patients needing these services in sub Saharan Africa, where majority live below the poverty level on $1.25 a day according to the World Bank. Since third party health insurance coverage is very limited to nonexistent, these patients are faced with chronic cardiac disability often resulting ultimately in premature death.
Mission
To serve as a beacon of hope to indigents in underdeveloped countries needing life saving open heart surgery and other specialized cardiovascular care
Vision
To be a leading facilitator of improved access to open heart surgery in sub Saharan Africa and other underdeveloped countries