As part of the phase one of the free medical mission ongoing for weeks in Imo State, the Imo State Medical Mission has carried out open heart surgery for indigent children at the Regions Neuroscience Hospital Mgbirichi, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Director Heart Surgery Programme, Dr O. C. Nzewi, who is a consultant cardiac surgeon from England, the children suffer from congenital heart diseases with multiple holes in their hearts.
Dr Nzewi stated that one of the patients is a 6-month-old baby born with complex congenital heart disease having 2 holes in the heart and abnormal Vessels connecting wrongly and a 12-year-old boy with 4 defects in his heart.
He commended the Governor that “this is the first time in Nigeria a State Government looked into the medical plight of its indigent patients in their state and decided to sponsor the patients”.
He therefore, challenged other Governors to emulate the kind-heartedness of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and expressed his desire of seeing more indigent Imo citizens saved on regular bases.
Amidst appreciation from the mothers, Dr Prosper-Ohayagha Success, the Hon Commissioner for Health, Imo State, says that Governor Hope Uzodimma is desirous of giving children the best possible beginning in life, because the earlier the children undergo heart surgery, the higher the chances of them living a better and improved life.
The Health Commissioner assured that the open heart surgery program for children will be a continuous exercise, ” this is just the beginning of better things to happen in Imo State” he declared.
A member of the medical team, Dr Vijay Agarwal who is a consultant paediatric cardiac surgeon from Charak Hospital, India, thanked the Imo State government for allowing children to live, “Children are neglected, they cannot speak for themselves, and I thank the government of Imo State for allowing me to be part of this surgery team” he stated.
It will be recalled that from 30th January to the 4th of February 2023, the Regions Neuroscience Hospital partnered with the Imo State Medical Mission in providing medical services to indigent citizens of Imo State. In appreciation to them, they also took up to do the follow-up of the children after surgery.