Heart patients overwhelm International Hospital
INTERNATIONAL Hospital Kampala (IHK) is overwhelmed by an influx of heart patients. This follows the successful maiden open-heart surgery performed at the hospital in the last two weeks.
By Josephine Maseruka
INTERNATIONAL Hospital Kampala (IHK) is overwhelmed by an influx of heart patients. This follows the successful maiden open-heart surgery performed at the hospital in the last two weeks.
Two boys who underwent surgery about two weeks ago have been discharged, and the hospital has started screening patients for the next heart surgeries due in september. The target number is about 10 patients. Mark Atwine of Bushenyi and David Kalenjera of Bwaise had holes in the hearts.
Dr. Moses Galukande, a cardiac surgeon at IHK, on Wednesday said the boys were in good shape when they left the hospital on Monday afternoon.
“They were very cheerful, walked without any support, they could eat and drink and they never showed any sign of pain.â€
Galukande explained that before they were discharged they underwent a scan of the heart, and the results were very fine.
“We expect them to report back for a check-up in three weeks’ time.â€
He observed that some of the patients flocking to IHK were referred by Mulago Hospital, while the majority just walk in and inquire about the possibility of receiving treatment.
“We actually do not want more people to come because they will be frustrated. We just cannot handle the influx. We do not want the heart patients to be disappointed.â€
Galukande said they screened six heart patients last week, three of whom had holes in their hearts.
He added that the other three had valve defects which the hospital could not handle and were advised to continue with their treatment. Galukande revealed that IHK could start replacing valves in 12 months.
He added: “We expect them to pay. We can look for money and help out one or two needy cases but we cannot afford to carry out such complicated surgeries free of charge.â€
Atwine and Kalenjera’s operations were paid for by IHK’s Hope Ward.
INTERNATIONAL Hospital Kampala (IHK) is overwhelmed by an influx of heart patients. This follows the successful maiden open-heart surgery performed at the hospital in the last two weeks.
Two boys who underwent surgery about two weeks ago have been discharged, and the hospital has started screening patients for the next heart surgeries due in september. The target number is about 10 patients. Mark Atwine of Bushenyi and David Kalenjera of Bwaise had holes in the hearts.
Dr. Moses Galukande, a cardiac surgeon at IHK, on Wednesday said the boys were in good shape when they left the hospital on Monday afternoon.
“They were very cheerful, walked without any support, they could eat and drink and they never showed any sign of pain.â€
Galukande explained that before they were discharged they underwent a scan of the heart, and the results were very fine.
“We expect them to report back for a check-up in three weeks’ time.â€
He observed that some of the patients flocking to IHK were referred by Mulago Hospital, while the majority just walk in and inquire about the possibility of receiving treatment.
“We actually do not want more people to come because they will be frustrated. We just cannot handle the influx. We do not want the heart patients to be disappointed.â€
Galukande said they screened six heart patients last week, three of whom had holes in their hearts.
He added that the other three had valve defects which the hospital could not handle and were advised to continue with their treatment. Galukande revealed that IHK could start replacing valves in 12 months.
He added: “We expect them to pay. We can look for money and help out one or two needy cases but we cannot afford to carry out such complicated surgeries free of charge.â€
Atwine and Kalenjera’s operations were paid for by IHK’s Hope Ward.