Nazziwa’s heart cries for your assistance
Aug 23, 2005
AT 39, Juliet Nazziwa would probably be married and perhaps leading a happy life. But she is not. A lingering heart ailment that crawled into her life 15 years ago, has darkened her life.
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
AT 39, Juliet Nazziwa would probably be married and perhaps leading a happy life. But she is not. A lingering heart ailment that crawled into her life 15 years ago, has darkened her life. Today, Nazziwa is grappling with the devastating consequences of a disease, whose cause she can hardly explain. A disease for which the heart Institute at Mulago hospital does not have the necessary facilities to treat.
After years of fruitless attempts to save Nazziwa’s heart, doctors at Mulago hospital have finally referred Nazziwa to the Institute of cardiovascular diseases, Madras Medical Mission in Chennai India. There, she will, hopefully, undergo open heart surgery. Hopefully, because until now, Nazziwa is not sure if she will raise the $13,600 (over sh24m) needed to foot her travel and medical bills in India.
When Naziwa came to The New Vision recently, she looked a troubled woman; pale in appearance, slow in movement, and her purple dress loosely hanging on her bonny shoulders. Her dark lean face exuded misery.
“It will stop...â€, she told me. “The doctor has said if I don’t get immediate medical attention, my heart will suddenly stop. She stopped talking and reflected a little before narrating her ordeal.
“It all started in 1990 when I suddenly started feeling weak. I was later diagnosed with blood pressure. With time, I became weaker, feeling a piercing pain in the heart. My heart started beating very fast and I would tire easily,†she says.
After six years of treatment at Cardic hospital in Nakulabye, doctors referred Nazziwa to Mulago hospital’s Heart institute for further treatment. “They examined her and discovered that one of my heart valves had a swelling,†she said. “Nazziwa was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, a disease that damages the heart valves. It affects blood flow to the heart,†says Dr Nyakoojo Abwooli, Nazziwa’s cardiologist (heart specialist).
Dr Didas Mugisa, a cardiothorasic surgeon at Mulago Hospital, who once treated Nazziwa says rheumatic heart disease is caused by bacteria, which spreads into the throat and, after the body has acquired immunity, it gives off particles that affect the heart. “This damages the heart valves, leading to their failure to open and close properly,†he says.
According to Dr Mugisa, in its first stages, rheumatic disease comes as a generalised body illness (rheumatic fever) or a throat infection. “It usually manifests itself through joint pains, reddening of the skin (for light skinned people) and sometimes uncoordinated movement of the limbs. These symptoms are irregular. This condition is most common among children of between three and five years. And it usually affects people who live in a crowded environment,†he says.
This disease develops over a period of time and usually appears during teenage and early adulthood.
“When it appears, it is characterised by fatigue, rapid heartbeat, difficulty in breathing and weight loss.†Treatment may include medication and surgery to replace the damaged valve(s). Otherwise, this disease can lead to a sudden death.
Meanwhile, Nazziwa has slowed down her tailoring job at Gayaza high school to raise funds for her treatment. With help from the school, she has so far raised only sh4m. “More is still needed,†says Mrs Joy Male, Gayaza High School headteacher, where Nazziwa sews school uniforms. The continues to pay Nazziwa’s salary and collects contributions from students, parents and others towards her treatment. “We urge people to contribute towards Nazziwa’s treatment. She is a hardworking person,†says Male.
Assistance can be sent in the names of Uganda Heart Foundation (Nazziwa Juliet) on account no 1775930 Barclays Bank Main Branch Kampala, or call The New Vision, Tel: 041-337127, 337809.
Ends
AT 39, Juliet Nazziwa would probably be married and perhaps leading a happy life. But she is not. A lingering heart ailment that crawled into her life 15 years ago, has darkened her life. Today, Nazziwa is grappling with the devastating consequences of a disease, whose cause she can hardly explain. A disease for which the heart Institute at Mulago hospital does not have the necessary facilities to treat.
After years of fruitless attempts to save Nazziwa’s heart, doctors at Mulago hospital have finally referred Nazziwa to the Institute of cardiovascular diseases, Madras Medical Mission in Chennai India. There, she will, hopefully, undergo open heart surgery. Hopefully, because until now, Nazziwa is not sure if she will raise the $13,600 (over sh24m) needed to foot her travel and medical bills in India.
When Naziwa came to The New Vision recently, she looked a troubled woman; pale in appearance, slow in movement, and her purple dress loosely hanging on her bonny shoulders. Her dark lean face exuded misery.
“It will stop...â€, she told me. “The doctor has said if I don’t get immediate medical attention, my heart will suddenly stop. She stopped talking and reflected a little before narrating her ordeal.
“It all started in 1990 when I suddenly started feeling weak. I was later diagnosed with blood pressure. With time, I became weaker, feeling a piercing pain in the heart. My heart started beating very fast and I would tire easily,†she says.
After six years of treatment at Cardic hospital in Nakulabye, doctors referred Nazziwa to Mulago hospital’s Heart institute for further treatment. “They examined her and discovered that one of my heart valves had a swelling,†she said. “Nazziwa was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, a disease that damages the heart valves. It affects blood flow to the heart,†says Dr Nyakoojo Abwooli, Nazziwa’s cardiologist (heart specialist).
Dr Didas Mugisa, a cardiothorasic surgeon at Mulago Hospital, who once treated Nazziwa says rheumatic heart disease is caused by bacteria, which spreads into the throat and, after the body has acquired immunity, it gives off particles that affect the heart. “This damages the heart valves, leading to their failure to open and close properly,†he says.
According to Dr Mugisa, in its first stages, rheumatic disease comes as a generalised body illness (rheumatic fever) or a throat infection. “It usually manifests itself through joint pains, reddening of the skin (for light skinned people) and sometimes uncoordinated movement of the limbs. These symptoms are irregular. This condition is most common among children of between three and five years. And it usually affects people who live in a crowded environment,†he says.
This disease develops over a period of time and usually appears during teenage and early adulthood.
“When it appears, it is characterised by fatigue, rapid heartbeat, difficulty in breathing and weight loss.†Treatment may include medication and surgery to replace the damaged valve(s). Otherwise, this disease can lead to a sudden death.
Meanwhile, Nazziwa has slowed down her tailoring job at Gayaza high school to raise funds for her treatment. With help from the school, she has so far raised only sh4m. “More is still needed,†says Mrs Joy Male, Gayaza High School headteacher, where Nazziwa sews school uniforms. The continues to pay Nazziwa’s salary and collects contributions from students, parents and others towards her treatment. “We urge people to contribute towards Nazziwa’s treatment. She is a hardworking person,†says Male.
Assistance can be sent in the names of Uganda Heart Foundation (Nazziwa Juliet) on account no 1775930 Barclays Bank Main Branch Kampala, or call The New Vision, Tel: 041-337127, 337809.
Ends