Seven Rwandan children on Tuesday arrived from India where they underwent free heart surgery through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Rotary Rwanda.
According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the successful operations were done through government’s referral plan but efforts are underway to build capacity here in Rwanda so that future surgeries like these are carried out here.
The PS thanked the Indian Rotary team for this gesture that has significantly impacted on the lives of these children.
Dr. Joseph Mucumbitsi, a cardiologist at King Faisal hospital also noted that most of these children were not born with heart diseases even though there are some inborn heart diseases that may be difficult to prevent.
“We are always encouraging people to fight against heart diseases through living healthy lifestyles and exercising regularly.
It is a concerted effort spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.” Dr. Mucumbitsi said.
Josiane Uwiringiyimana, a mother of a 19 monthold baby who was also operated successfully thanked the government for the great support offered to her baby.
“I am really happy that my baby has been cured. I do not know exactly how to express my joy. It is beyond my belief.” She added.
Her counterpart Sabuhoro Esperance, a mother of a 10 year old girl, said she received her child with great delight adding that for a long time had been worried by the child’s state of health.
One of the children that returned, Joas Nshimiyima from Ruhango district said that he had suffered from heart attacks since 2003.
He is excited about his current health condition and expressed his gratitude to the government for giving chance to all categories of people to undergo such expensive surgeries.
The seven children back are the first part of 15 children over that program and other eight selected will be sent soon.
In order to heal all non-communicable diseases, the ministry of health is conducting a survey countrywide.
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