Mulago starts major heart surgeries

By Violet Nabatanzi

The Mulago Heart Institute has started carrying out major heart surgeries.

Dr. John Omagino, the Director of the Institute, said the operations started week ago after the newly acquired sh9.8b cardiac catheterization equipment was fitted.

Cardiac catheterization is the procedure of getting information about the heart or its blood vessels or to provide treatment in certain types of heart conditions.

The machines help doctors carry out full investigations of the heart before going ahead with the surgeries.

Dr. Omagino revealed the development in an interview at the Mulago Heart Institute on Thursday. He said since the operations started a week ago, the institute has handled eight patients who are now recovering at the hospital.

According to the medic, the institute has been carrying out 60% of the investigations while 40% was being referred to India and South Africa for further investigations.

 "We have been doing heart investigations up to 60%, but the other 40% information needed highly specialized investigations which we could not handle.

“That is why patients were referred abroad for some of these heart procedures," an elated Omagino said.

Each patient would spend approximately US$20,000 on treatment abroad, which would now be considerably reduced.

Some patients have been sponsored by the government and others pay for themselves. Those who could not afford just died miserably, the doctor said

Dr. Omagino added that on average the institute refers about 200 patients abroad every year.

He said they have brought in expects from South Africa who have been testing the equipment and the local doctors have undergone training on how to use the equipment.

He added that the institute has only eighteen specialist doctors in this area, adding that more are still needed.

Uganda heart Institute was founded by Prof. Francis Omaswa in 1988 and was registered as a heart institute 2001.