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Outlook: We risked our lives to save my brother's heart

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Hussein and Hamed Amiri

18/06/2020 GMT

We risked our lives to save my brother's heart

BBC World Service - Outlook, We risked our lives to save my brother's heart

Hamed Amiri’s family fled from Afghanistan to get a heart operation for his brother

Hamed Amiri was 10 years old when his family fled from their home in Afghanistan all the way to the UK, where they hoped to get life-saving treatment for his brother, Hussein.

Hamed Amiri's family knew they would one day have to leave their home in Afghanistan to travel to the city of Southampton in the UK. It was one of the few places in the world where doctors were able to perform the heart surgery that could save his brother Hussein's life. Then, suddenly, the need to leave became even more urgent. This was the year 2000, and Hamed’s mother was being threatened by the Taliban for speaking out in support of women’s rights and education. The family had to sell their belongings and flee into the night, starting what would be a long and dangerous journey at the mercy of people smugglers. Hamed has recently published a book about his family’s experiences called The Boy With Two Hearts: A Story of Hope.

Dr Allison Amarachukwu Karen diagnosed the first known case of Covid-19 in Nigeria. She works at a private clinic run by International SOS in Ogun State and she found herself in the middle of an unfolding crisis. She was praised for spotting the virus early in a patient from Italy, so they had a chance to try and contain the outbreak. But she was also stigmatised by some who called her "corona doctor" and didn't want to be treated by her.

Presenter: Emily Webb

Picture: Hussein (left) and Hamed Amiri as children
Credit: Amiri Family

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