The Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) has successfully performed five closed heart surgeries at Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) during a specialized surgical camp aimed at treating congenital heart defects.
This marks the fourth such camp held at regional referral hospitals across Uganda, expanding access to critical cardiac care.
The surgeries focused on Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) repair, a procedure that closes an abnormal opening in the heart. If left untreated, PDA can lead to heart failure, recurrent respiratory infections, and even death.
The young patients, who came from districts including Arua, Mbale, Mityana, and Lira, would have otherwise faced long and costly journeys to Kampala or abroad for treatment. Their families expressed relief and gratitude, sharing how their children can now breathe and eat comfortably for the first time in their lives.
Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero, Minister of Health and Lira City Woman MP, emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in cardiac care.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to equipping regional referral hospitals and strengthening outreach programs to reduce the burden of heart disease and other NCDs,” she said.
Dr. Peter Solomon Lwabi, Deputy Executive Director of UHI, highlighted the importance of decentralizing heart care.
“Our goal is to ensure that all Ugandans, regardless of location, have access to high-quality heart services. By bringing care closer to communities, we reduce the financial and logistical strain on families,” Dr. Lwabi explained.
Eight patients were screened for surgery, but three could not be treated due to the severity of their conditions. Dr. Andrew Odur, Director of LRRH, stressed the need for more specialized staff at the hospital to improve cardiac services.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of global deaths, with cardiovascular disease responsible for 33%. The majority of these deaths—80%—occur in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda. The success of this heart surgery camp underscores the urgent need to expand and sustain such interventions nationwide.
