14-year-old girl seeks sh25m for surgery

Nov 20, 2007

A 14-year-old girl is seeking $14,700 (about sh25m) to undergo open heart surgery in India. Zakia Kauuma was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago Hospital on November 9.

By Doreen Musingo

A 14-year-old girl is seeking $14,700 (about sh25m) to undergo open heart surgery in India. Zakia Kauuma was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago Hospital on November 9.

Her mother, Zabia Malole, a resident of Rippon Garden in Jinja, said her daughter was first diagnosed with tuberculosis at Nalufenya Children’s Hospital in Jinja in July 2002.

“She had cough, a swollen stomach and feet and could not eat. The doctors referred us to Mulago Hospital, where X-rays were done and it was discovered she had rheumatic heart disease.”

Malole said Kauuma, a pupil of Main Street Primary School, did not study in 2004 and 2005 due to the problem.

She returned to school in 2006 after getting treatment from the Mulago heart institute. The institute’s consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and deputy director, Dr. John Omagino, recommended that Kauuma be flown to Frontier Lifeline Cardiac Hospital in India for surgery.

Well wishers can make contributions in the names of Uganda Heart Foundation (Kauuma Zakia) on account number 1775930 Barclays Bank Main branch in Kampala.

They can also call Malole on 0753-905088.

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