Mongolian Toddler Travels 7,000 Miles for Life-Saving Heart Repair at Manning Family Children’s

Belgutei Ariunbold was born in July 2022 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. At one month old, his pediatrician diagnosed him with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital hole between the heart’s upper chambers that hadn’t closed before birth. 

Although baby Belgutei showed no symptoms, his parents, Ninjbadgar “Ninjee” Batkhuyag and Ariunbold Barkhas, a major in the Mongolian Armed Forces, understood that surgery would eventually be necessary to ensure their son’s long-term health. 

An ASD allows blood to pass between the heart’s upper chambers, sending excess blood to the lungs. Small ASDs can close on their own, but large ones—like Belgutei’s—require medical repair. Left untreated, they can lead to arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, or heart failure later in life. 

Searching for Options Beyond Mongolia 

When a pediatric cardiologist in Mongolia explained that open-heart surgery was the only treatment option available there, Ninjee hesitated. A trained chemist and mother of three, she wanted to explore every possible alternative before putting her baby through such an invasive procedure. 

“I didn’t like the idea of open-heart surgery on an infant,” she said through an interpreter. “I was ready to do whatever it took to find my son the care he needed even if that meant seeking cardiac care outside of Mongolia.” 
 

But how could they possibly make it happen? How would they find the best hospital with the most experienced pediatric cardiologist? How would they afford the flights, much less the surgery? They didn’t speak English, and the cost of international travel and surgery seemed impossible. 

Samaritan’s Purse Offers Hope for Pediatric Heart Patients 

Through online research, Ninjee found Samaritan’s Purse, a ministry that partners with healthcare organizations around the world to identify patients who lack access to critical healthcare.  

Samaritan’s Purse works closely with organizations like HeartGift, which connects families to hospitals in the U.S. willing to provide life-saving cardiac procedures. More specifically, HeartGift Louisiana works with Manning Family Children’s to make sure children who are accepted into the program receive the highest quality care. 

In July 2023, when Belgutei was nearly one year old, a group of American physicians evaluated him in Mongolia. “They told me that same day he could be part of the program,” said Ninjee. “I just had to wait until they found a hospital and doctor in the United States.” 

Nearly two years later, in May 2025, she received the news she had been praying for: Samaritan’s Purse and HeartGift Louisiana had arranged for Belgutei’s surgery at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans.  

Samaritan’s Purse handled the family’s visas, travel, and interpreter who traveled with the family, while HeartGift coordinated the medical partnership with the hospital and found a U.S. host family to support them during their stay until Belgutei was healthy enough to return home. 

Manning Family Children’s Welcomes Belgutei 

The family’s journey from Mongolia to Louisiana took nearly 30 hours and several flights—from Ulaanbaatar to South Korea, then Atlanta, and finally New Orleans. Belgutei, now 3, arrived on September 29, 2025, accompanied by his mother, Ninjee, and their interpreter. 

After evaluating him at Manning Family Children’s, Ernesto Mejia, MD, interim director of Congenital Interventional Cardiology, determined that Belgutei was an excellent candidate for a catheter-based procedure—one that involves minimal downtime and far less discomfort than open-heart surgery. 

Ninjee’s instincts had been right. “There are very few cases that require open-heart surgery these days, especially at Children’s,” Dr. Mejia said. 

“We got to Children’s and met with the doctors,” Ninjee said. “Dr. Mejia said they could do it through a catheter, not open-heart surgery. I was so relieved. He explained everything in a way that gave me hope and calmed me down.” 

Minimally Invasive Repair for a Large ASD 

Traditionally, ASD repair required open-heart surgery, which involves opening the chest and placing the patient on a heart-lung machine. Advances in interventional cardiology now allow many ASDs to be closed in a catheterization lab, or “cath lab,” using a small device inserted through a vein in the groin. 

Dr. Mejia, who also serves as director of Children’s High Risk Interstage Clinic, explained that Belgutei’s hole measured 15 millimeters—large for a child his size. “For him, it was as big or bigger than his main aorta,” he said. 

Belgutei underwent the procedure in the cardiac catheterization lab on October 6, 2025, and is already back home in Mongolia. 

“We were able to close Belgutei’s ASD in 24 minutes, without opening his chest or putting him on bypass,” Dr. Mejia said. “He stayed overnight for observation and went home (to his host family’s house) with no scar.” 

‘Perfect’ Procedure and Recovery  

Ninjee said that when Belgutei woke after surgery, he smiled and told her in his native Mongolian language, “I have a nice heart,” proudly pointing to his chest.  

And, within days, the boy’s energy soared. “He is more active now,” Ninjee said. “He loves Legos, reading books with me, and playing with his cars and trucks.” 

“When I saw him after the procedure he gave me a big hug and said, with the help of his interpreter, that everything felt good,” Dr. Mejia said, noting it was a “perfect” procedure and recovery. “Belgutei’s heart is completely normal now. The ASD is closed and he now has the chance to live a full, healthy life.” 

Many children have received care at Manning Family Children’s thanks to the good work of Samaritan’s Purse and HeartGift Louisiana. Dr. Mejia said Belgutei’s case is the first he has participated in but he looks forward to helping others from rural areas who need lifesaving care. 

From a World Away, They Found Gratitude and Hope 

Belgutei, his mother, and their interpreter remained in Louisiana for a month while he healed. Their host family, Maria and Dennis Kay, met them at the airport and supported them every step of the way. 

“I’m so grateful for them,” Ninjee said. “And for the doctors and nurses who cared for us so kindly. This opportunity was a blessing.” 

Dr. Mejia echoed her gratitude. “HeartGift is giving kids around the world a chance at a normal life,” he said. “It’s incredible to see how something so small—just a few minutes in the cath lab—can give a child their future back.” 

“I hope many more children can be helped by Samaritan’s Purse, HeartGift, and the doctors here,” Ninjee added. “I’ll raise Belgutei to be a good person, to live with kindness.” 

For more information about cardiac care at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans, please visit: https://www.manningchildrens.org/services/heart-center/heart-center-programs/ 

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About Manning Family Children’s: Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.