Hospital promises more heart surgeries
Apr 17, 2007
International hospital Kampala plans to carry out more complicated heart operations within two to three years.
By Josephine Maseruka
International hospital Kampala plans to carry out more complicated heart operations within two to three years.
Dr. Ian Clarke, the chief executive officer of the hospital, yesterday revealed that the move is within the hospital’s medium term plan.
This follows two successful maiden open-heart operations carried out over the weekend by doctors at the hospital.
Clarke explained that in future, they would also operate babies born with holes in the heart.
“The capacity built will be very conducive for the poor to benefit from the Hope Ward, a charity department of the hospital which footed the $6,000 ( about sh11m) for each operation.â€
Clarke told a press conference at the hospital yesterday that the hospital would consider cases on merit.
He, however, appealed to other charities and individuals to help the over 200 Ugandans on the waiting list to be operated upon.
Dr. Moses Galukande, a surgeon and director of medical services at the hospital, yesterday said over 5,000 heart patients had been registered by the Uganda Heart Institute. Of these, over 200 have holes in their hearts, a congenital defect (born with it). Galukande noted that they hope to operate over 30 people in a year.
Dr. Clement Akomea Agyin, a British national of Ghanaian origin, led the team during the operations.
Agyin who plans to settle in Uganda assured Ugandans that if all the equipment and trained manpower is obtained, he will soon be able to handle complicated heart defects.
Meanwhile, Aggrey Awori, the former Samia Bugwe North MP, has hailed the hospital for the breakthrough heart operation, saying it would save many lives especially of the poor people.
International hospital Kampala plans to carry out more complicated heart operations within two to three years.
Dr. Ian Clarke, the chief executive officer of the hospital, yesterday revealed that the move is within the hospital’s medium term plan.
This follows two successful maiden open-heart operations carried out over the weekend by doctors at the hospital.
Clarke explained that in future, they would also operate babies born with holes in the heart.
“The capacity built will be very conducive for the poor to benefit from the Hope Ward, a charity department of the hospital which footed the $6,000 ( about sh11m) for each operation.â€
Clarke told a press conference at the hospital yesterday that the hospital would consider cases on merit.
He, however, appealed to other charities and individuals to help the over 200 Ugandans on the waiting list to be operated upon.
Dr. Moses Galukande, a surgeon and director of medical services at the hospital, yesterday said over 5,000 heart patients had been registered by the Uganda Heart Institute. Of these, over 200 have holes in their hearts, a congenital defect (born with it). Galukande noted that they hope to operate over 30 people in a year.
Dr. Clement Akomea Agyin, a British national of Ghanaian origin, led the team during the operations.
Agyin who plans to settle in Uganda assured Ugandans that if all the equipment and trained manpower is obtained, he will soon be able to handle complicated heart defects.
Meanwhile, Aggrey Awori, the former Samia Bugwe North MP, has hailed the hospital for the breakthrough heart operation, saying it would save many lives especially of the poor people.