While adult cardiovascular centres are present in almost all countries around the world, paediatric centres are still poorly represented, particularly in continents such as Africa and Asia and Eastern European nations.

In an attempt to alleviate this shortcoming Gruppo San Donato (GSD) and Bambini Cardiopatici nel Mondo have set up an international cooperation programme aimed at treating congenital heart disease across a number of nations including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal and Romania. Being present in these countries with a cooperation programme also allows for the training of doctors in situ, which creates the conditions where patients can be treated in their country of origin thus diverting the flow of patients sent abroad for treatment.

To date, this collaboration has been responsible for having carried out hundreds of missions treating patients both at GSD Hospitals in Italy as well as local clinics in countries of origin. Bambini Cardiopatici nel Mondo has also trained local cardiologists and clinicians, inviting them the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato Research Hospital in order to share and transfer advanced skills and medical expertise that can be applied in the treatment of affected children in their home countries.

In June 2021 a new CATH lab (catheterization laboratory) was inaugurated at the Hôpital Universitaire la Rabta in Tunis, Tunisia.
This highly specialised examination room will provide essential diagnostic imaging equipment that can allow cardiologist to see the arteries and chambers of the heart and successfully treat any stenosis or abnormalities found. The Rabat CATH lab was named in honour of GKSD President Kamel Ghribi and carries both his name and his vision.