The Rotary Club of Muyenga in Kampala has taken the initiative to sponsor heart surgery for 30 children in India. This significant support comes at a time when Uganda is grappling with alarming statistics of children being born with heart-related defects.
On Friday, the Rotary Club announced its collaboration with partners in India to fund surgical operations and treatment for 30 babies born with heart-related complications. The club’s president, Simon Batte, expressed the importance of this initiative, offering relief to parents of the selected children.
During the flag-off ceremony for the first batch of 14 children at Muyenga International Hotel in Kampala, parents shared their gratitude. Liz Watali, the mother of Liam Nayenga diagnosed with Valvular pulmonary Stenosis, expressed her thanks, emphasizing the impact this opportunity has on their lives.
Batte revealed that the collaboration with Indian partners was initiated during a meeting with the past district governor, Emmanuel Katongole. The offer of 30 slots for heart surgeries for Ugandan children was extended at no cost, with the beneficiaries identified through collaboration with the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) at Mulago.
“We have worked closely with the Heart Institute, and so far, we have identified 17 children who are due for surgery. We are still actively seeking more until we reach the required number,” Batte stated.
Under the project named “Little Hearts Mending in India,” chaired by Michael Mpiima, the Rotary Club of Muyenga aims to raise approximately $450,000 (sh170m) for this noble cause. The project falls under the club’s area of focus on disease prevention and treatment, with a specific emphasis on saving lives from heart disorders.
Mpiima emphasized the urgency of collective efforts, calling on all Ugandans to join hands in saving the lives of children born with heart complications, a prevalent issue in Uganda. The surgeries will take place at Chennai Children’s Hospital in India, covering all expenses, including accommodation, transportation, and feeding, except for visa fees and passports.
Dr. Judith Namuyonga, a consultant pediatrician at the UHI, highlighted the prevalence of congenital heart diseases in Uganda. Approximately 8 to 10 children per 1,000 live births are affected, translating to 8,000 babies annually. She stressed that urgent surgeries are required for at least 2,000 of these cases at birth.
Globally, cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death, contributing to 17.9 million deaths annually. In Africa, Uganda bears a significant burden, with high blood pressure affecting one in four adults, leading to severe risks such as heart diseases, strokes, and kidney failure.
Despite these challenges, the health ministry expressed optimism, citing progress in the treatment of heart-related diseases with modern equipment installed at Mulago and other public and private facilities in the country. Recently, Mulago Hospital announced plans to conduct over 1000 open-heart surgeries up to November 2024, showcasing positive strides in addressing this critical health issue.
