UHI/WCI meeting to start the week
Even though everyone was at varying levels of fatigue from the transatlantic trip, all the World Children’s Initiative (WCI) members were excited to get started helping kids play harder and live longer. We spent the first moments at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) getting acquainted, and some of us reacquainted, with colleagues at the hospital. After that each of us jumped into our respective roles in the process of healing the hearts of Ugandan youth. In one area, there were echocardiograms of children ranging from 5 months to 10 years in age. Cath lab preparation and procedures occurred in another area. The ICU was staffed and ready to care for kids coming out of their procedures.
UHI/WCI teams prepping the cath lab
In my role as patient liaison, I had the chance to move throughout the hospital and watch all of the WCI staff in action. It was nice to see the collaboration between the US medical providers and the UHI doctors and nurses. The UHI cardiac catheterization team worked side-by-side with the WCI team to get the lab ready for this week of procedures. Dr. Kanishka Ratnayaka was able to supervise the cardiac catheterization of a 3 year-old boy performed by UHI’s Dr. Sulaiman Lubega. As the week continues it will be interesting to observe the evolution of the WCI team to more consultants than teachers.
Lincoln waiting to go for his cardiac cath.
I’ve already been able to meet many of the families having heart procedures this week. The parents are excited to have U.S. doctors come in to help take care of their children. They are very appreciative of our time and expertise. WCI’s aim is that eventually that enthusiasm will be from knowing that UHI and the cardiac catheterization program provide the best cardiac care at all times, regardless of the presence of foreign medical teams. As WCI continues working with UHI medical staff to care for pediatric cardiac patients from pre-procedure assessments through post-procedure intensive care, we are getting closer to that goal.
