GLOBAL! India issues free heart surgeries to 150 Ugandan children
Up to 150 Ugandan children are set to receive free medical surgeries in India in 2024. This was made known by the Secretary of the Indian Association of Uganda, Mr. Sasi Kumar, who noted that these children would receive free heart surgeries during the year. He also noted that these surgeries along with their logistics cost anywhere around $5000 to $8000.
Mr. Sasi Kumar, on Monday, disclosed the Indian Association of Uganda’s intent to give free heart surgeries to Ugandan children at the office of the group in Kampala, according to a report by the Ugandan newspaper, The Monitor.
He made the announcement as the association sent the third batch of beneficiaries, comprising 5 Ugandan children, to the Namar Hearth Hospital in India.
He also noted that each child and their caretaker would need somewhere around $5000 to $8000, as the number of children sent to India for heart surgeries reaches 11.
“One child whose condition is not well has to travel while on oxygen with her caretaker, and a doctor to monitor the health condition,” Mr. Kumar stated.
This initiative is in partnership with the Rotary Club of SSese Island, and Ugandan Airlines which has issued discounted flight tickets for the program.
“As the Indian association, we have been sending three children, but this time, we are sending five after partnering with the Rotary Club of Ssese Island,” he added.
The secretary of the association noted that in the group’s 101-year existence, it has helped in the heart operation of around 165 Ugandan children.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Healthy Heart Foundation, Ms, Ritah Namyalo, 1% of the 1.6 million children born in Uganda every year suffer some form of congenital heart disease.
