Open heart surgery at 7 years old successful
By: Sere Neema
Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Often at times our trust in Kenyan doctors on a scale of one to ten is… not so good. That however, does not mean you cannot find the right doctor for the job.
This was the case with Patrick Omondi’s mother, who had to find the right surgeon for his open heart surgery at only seven years old. The surgery involves cutting the heart open and operating on the muscles, valves and arteries of the heart.
Morning live host Nick Mudimba helps us unfold this story.
Life before and after surgery
Patrick was born with congenital heart disease. In simple terms, a problem with the structure of the heart.
His mother Laura Okal sought Dr. Kariuki from Nairobi hospital to operate on her son. A team of 12 specialists took part in the success of the surgery.
Raising funds for the operation was difficult. Insurance companies were unwilling to chip in too. With the help of a charity heart fund by Nairobi hospital, they were able to raise the required amount.
Two weeks after the surgery, Patrick was required to report to school. Westlands Primary School. As one would presume, he had restrictions therefore, the need for extra care. Laura says, the then Principal Mr. Meroka ensured all was in order during his school days.
Patrick, now 16 years old and schooling at Laiser Hill Academy for his secondary education, says he can now do what every other child is capable of doing.
Expert insight
Back in 2010, heart operations were done abroad. There was only one paediatric cardiologist in Kenya. Currently, according to Dr. Joan Osoro Mbui from Nairobi hospital, there are four more paediatric cardiologists.
Dr.Joan adds that she is now more confident in Kenyan doctors and hopes Kenyans embrace the same attitude.
“If you see a doctor having their family member treated in that system, then they have confidence”
The Nairobi Hospital child heart fund – it caters for children under the age of 18 who are needy and cannot afford to pay for their heart surgeries.
