By Marilyn James | Project Leader
Although the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted activities for several months in 2020. We are pleased to report successful surgeries were completed in the past quarter on several needy patients. Patients travelled to India and Tanzania to have surgical procedures.
Two patients went to India:
Baby Omar was diagnosed with a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a large hole between the two lower chambers of his heart- at seven months of age. He had successful open heart surgery at MIOT Hospital in India on November 11, 2020 which resulted in his full recovery. He has not suffered from any complications since his return to Kenya.
Baby Alva born June 26, 2020 was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole between the two lower chambers his heart. He had successful open heart surgery at Fortis Escorts hospital in New Delhi, India on December 12, 2020.
Six patients went to Tanzania:
Five-year-old Christian was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot (TOF) - a combination of heart defects at the age of two. He received lifesaving surgery at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in October 2020.
Four-year-old Edna, is the last born of three sisters. She was diagnosed with a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a large hole between the two lower chambers his heart at seven months of age. She underwent successful surgery in November 2020 at the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute in Tanzania.
Thirteen-year-old Irene was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot (TOF)- a combination of heart defects. She needed surgical intervention. Irene had her surgery at the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute on December 14, 2020.
Eleven-year-old Malik is the first born of seven siblings. He was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole between the two lower chambers his heart-. His doctor recommended open heart surgery, closure of the VSD, and resection of the subaortic fibrous ridge. He underwent successful surgery at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Tanzania in December 2020.
Ten-month-old Mira is the second born of three siblings. She was diagnosed with a large Perimembranous Ventricular Septal defect (VSD) - a hole between the two lower chambers her heart and needed corrective heart surgery. She underwent successful surgery in Tanzania at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in December 2020.
Twelve-year-old Tina was first diagnosed with a dilated heart and later diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole between the two lower chambers her heart. In December 2020, she underwent successful surgery at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Tanzania.
Other successful activities to end the year 2020 included:
Care for a Child’s Heart and Children and Charity International are forever thankful for the sponsorship of HeartGift in making these surgeries possible. Also, gracious thanks to the hospitals, surgeons, medical staff, patients, caregivers, and all other support received especially during this trying coronavirus pandemic period. We feel blessed that so many children were helped and are now on the mend.
We look to continuing this critical work during 2021 and wish everyone, A Happy New Year!
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