An NGO facilitating free heart surgeries for Ugandan children in India has called on the government to implement initiatives to alleviate the financial burden families face when seeking specialized care unavailable locally.
George Ntambi, Executive Director of Action for Disadvantaged People (ACDIPE), said the organization relies heavily on donations from individuals and corporate sponsors to fund travel and treatment for needy children. He noted an increasing number of cases, with ten new patients already registered in the New Year, compared to 75 surgeries funded last year.
On average, ACDIPE receives up to five referrals daily, including cases from the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI). Ntambi explained that only children with conditions beyond the Institute’s capacity are referred for overseas care.
Dr. John Omagino, Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, confirmed the pressing need for support, revealing that of the 16,000 babies born with heart complications annually, half require surgery. While UHI has developed local capacity for many surgeries, some cases still require specialized interventions abroad.
Since its inception in 2019, ACDIPE has supported over 500 children, striking agreements with Indian hospitals to provide surgeries on credit. However, each procedure costs $5,000, a significant financial challenge.
Other organizations, such as Rotary and the Indian Association in Uganda, have also facilitated free surgeries abroad. Yet, given the scale of the issue, these efforts remain insufficient. Omagino emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, noting that timely care can often eliminate the need for surgery.