DAY THREE

1st patient of the day relaxing after his PDA closure procedure.

Today was the first day of procedures to fix the problems in the patients being seen in the cardiac catheterization lab. The combined WCI-UHI team was able to perform three cases today. All of the children had an abnormally open blood vessel near the heart. Before children are born, a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus connects the two large blood vessels that take blood away from the heart. When everything functions properly the ductus arteriosus closes shortly after birth. If it does not close and there is a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), there are negative effects on both the heart and the lungs. These kids can get short of breath and tire easily. The procedure done on the kids today closes the connection and forever fixes their problem without open heart surgery. One patient named Christine is an identical twin. When she goes home she ought to be able to keep up with her sister as they run around a play as healthy 3 year-olds should.

Leticia in her WCI scrubs.

The big excitement in the cath lab before the cases got started was the distribution of WCI scrubs to the UHI team. They were extremely appreciative of the gift. Many of them could not wait to put on their new gear. It was particularly entertaining to see Nurse Leticia rocking her blue top and pants. Until now I had never seen her without her scrub dress. When I gave her the scrubs I explained she could just wear the top if that was more comfortable for her. No sooner had I given her an out than she left and reappeared in her full scrub outfit. She kept mentioning all the compliments she was getting on her new sharp attire.

We also got some visitors to the cath lab from a local newspaper. New Vision sent a reporter and photographer to interview Dr. Ratnayaka and Dr. Lubega about the Uganda Heart Institute and its collaboration with the World Children’s Initiative. They explained the workings of the cath lab as part of UHI as a whole. They also discussed the training WCI has sponsored for Dr. Lubega both in Uganda and internationally in India. We are looking forward to seeing the story in print soon.

Plamedi with her new teddy bear she named Isha.

Today was a very successful day. Thursday will bring more procedures and more opportunities to help Ugandan children play harder and live longer.