By Marilyn James | Project Leader
Many good things happened this quarter for patients and families of Care for a Child’s Heart (CFACH). Twenty (20) patients that needed heart treatment and urgent intervention underwent successful surgeries with positive results and diagnoses for a promising future. Three (3) children had surgeries in India, Four (4) children were operated at Gertrudes Children’s Hospital in Nairobi Kenya. Six (6) children received surgeries at Jakaya Kikwete Hospital in Tanzania, and seven (7 ) children had surgeries at MPShah Hospital in Kenya. Three of the patients celebrating successful surgeries include:
Kombe, the youngest in a family of four. He was born at full term but has been sickly from birth. During visits to hospitals, he was treated for the common cold and sent home. His parents were very concerned when at 8 months old Nath underweight, had a poor appetite and cried a lot. While attending a regular check-up at Msabweni hospital a doctor did echo and ECG tests which showed that Nath had a heart condition -Tetralogy of Fallot. After four years of travail, the parents made connect with Care for a Child’s Heart that facilitated his cardiac screening which resulted in Kombe receiving successful open-heart surgery this quarter.
Pen, at 1-year-old, is the only child in her family. She was born at term and at one week old, she developed Jaundice and was treated and discharged from hospital. At 6 months she began having rapid breathing patterns, and was easily fatigued while breastfeeding. She also had poor appetite. For three months, Pen had recurring pneumonia and was treated in a local hospital a couple of times. The observing doctor referred Pen to Kijabe Hospital and an ECHO test showed that she had a large PDA. A repeat ECHO test done at MP Shah Hospital in November 2021 showed the same results. Pen got a chance to have surgery done at MP Shah by a visiting surgical team, Healing Little Hearts. Unfortunately, she got fever on surgery day and surgery had to be postponed. This quarter Pen had successful open-heart surgery.
Jay, a soft-spoken boy was born in South Africa. He was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth at Johannesburg General Hospital. He was an active child and was able to go to school. His mother sort a second opinion of Jay’s condition and a doctor recommended Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) repair. With no insurance, Jay’s family connected with CFACH through a board member who was acquainted with Jay’s Aunt. Jay was put on CFACH waiting list and after one year he was sponsored for surgery by HeartGift Foundation and CFACH. Jay had successful open-heart surgery in Tanzania.
Other services provided to patients and families this quarter include:
Children & Charity International (CAC) and Care for A Child’s Heart (CFACH) continue efforts to build relationships for this important work. We are grateful for the support of donors, and current partnerships with hospitals, medical professionals, pharmacies, airlines. Safaricom, Pedal Wise, Miga Golf Club and others. You are the best. Thank you.
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