In order to counter cardiovascular problems right from young ages, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute is launching a special program to provide free treatments of heart diseases for children.
The Managing Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) Dr Richard Kisenge explained here that the country needs to address such ailments right from the start if it was to reduce the problems nationwide.
“At the moment Tanzania is experiencing a huge wave of children being born with cardiovascular complications,” pointed out Dr Kisenge, explaining that 4000 out of 13,000 new-born babies are delivered with heart problems.
The surgeon was speaking at the climax of a three-day medical health camp which dealt with diagnosis and treatments of cardiovascular diseases at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), being part of the free National Mobile clinic service program.
According to Dr Kisenge, the campaign to offer free treatment to children suffering from heart problems has already started with more than 1500 patients so far registered, with the government footing 70 percent of the treatment costs.
“Each patient requires up to 10 million/- in treatments, we are therefore working to raise funds to cover the remaining 30 percent of the costs now that the state takes care of the 70 percent,” said the JKCI Managing Director.
But why are heart problems hounding more young children nowadays?
“Some expectant mothers have been avoiding health regulations required during pregnancy including the lack of proper diet rich in minerals such as Folic Acid, skipping immunization though sometimes cardiovascular complications can be hereditary,” said the Doctor.
The Arusha Regional Commissioner, Paul Makunda said it has also been discovered that, most parents have been giving their children medication without diagnosis; “If say a child contracts fever, the mother simply rushes to the medical store and buys pills without even knowing what ails the baby.”
Dr Godwil Kivuyo is the in-charge of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center where the medical camp was held and reveals it is the third time that the ALMC was hosting the treatments campaign.
“These camps also help to give more experience to our own surgeons here such that we are thinking of establishing a special cardiovascular treatment department at the hospital,” said Dr Kivuyo.
More than 1350 people were attended at the Medical Camp, with over 14 percent of the patients were diagnosed with heart problems with causes being irresponsible lifestyles, including excessive use of alcohol, smoking, fatty foods and lack of exercise.
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