Jinja, Uganda: The Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) has successfully performed 17 life-saving heart surgeries during a week-long specialist medical camp at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to advanced cardiac care outside Kampala.
The achievement comes as heart specialists raise fresh concern over the increasing number of children being born with congenital heart defects, attributing the trend largely to missed maternal vaccinations and inadequate antenatal care.
The surgical outreach, conducted in partnership with Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, enabled children with various congenital heart conditions to receive corrective surgeries closer to their homes, reducing the need for referrals to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Speaking after the camp, Dr. Peter Lwabi, the Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, said congenital heart defects, particularly Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart”, continue to account for a growing number of cases seen at the institute.
According to Dr. Lwabi, one of the major contributors is poor attendance at antenatal clinics, where expectant mothers would ordinarily receive routine health assessments and critical vaccinations.
He explained that mothers who miss antenatal services are also more likely to miss protection against rubella, a viral infection that significantly increases the risk of congenital heart abnormalities in unborn babies.
“One of the common conditions we see is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), where a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth,” Dr. Lwabi said.
He explained that the ductus arteriosus is an essential blood vessel during pregnancy because it allows blood to bypass the lungs while the baby is still in the womb. After birth, however, the vessel is expected to close naturally as the newborn begins breathing independently.
“When it remains open, blood flows abnormally between the aorta and pulmonary artery, placing extra strain on the heart and lungs,” he said.
Dr. Lwabi noted that the condition is more common among babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy because their cardiovascular systems are still developing. He added that maternal rubella infection during pregnancy is another major risk factor and may also cause cataracts, impaired growth and other birth defects.
Despite the growing burden, Dr. Lwabi emphasized that not every congenital heart defect can be prevented, explaining that some result from genetic abnormalities or developmental complications during pregnancy.
However, he urged expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and complete recommended vaccination schedules as one of the most effective ways to reduce preventable congenital heart disease.
Regional cardiac centre planned for Jinja
Beyond the successful surgeries, the Uganda Heart Institute announced that plans are progressing to decentralise specialised cardiac services across the country.
Dr. Lwabi revealed that two acres of land have already been allocated at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for the construction of a regional cardiac treatment centre under the Institute’s strategic expansion plan launched last year.
The proposed facility is expected to improve access to specialist heart treatment for patients across the Busoga sub-region and neighbouring districts.
The Director of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Dr. Yayi Alfred, welcomed the partnership, describing the surgical camp as a major step towards improving specialised healthcare in eastern Uganda.
He said establishing a regional cardiac centre would significantly reduce patient referrals to Mulago National Referral Hospital while easing financial and logistical burdens on families seeking treatment.
Dr. Yayi also disclosed that discussions are underway to strengthen the capacity of local health workers through specialised training in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases.
“I would like to thank the Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health for investing in critical infrastructure such as intensive care units and oxygen plants, which now enable us to host specialised medical services,” he said.
“We intend to continue holding such medical camps annually until a fully-fledged regional cardiac centre is established here in Jinja.”
Health experts believe expanding specialist cardiac services alongside improved maternal healthcare, routine immunisation and antenatal attendance will play a critical role in reducing the burden of congenital heart disease, particularly in high-risk regions such as Busoga.
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