Lira, Uganda | At least 11 children from Lango and Acholi sub-regions are undergoing specialised closed heart surgeries at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in a week-long medical camp aimed at expanding access to critical cardiac care.
The five-day paediatric surgical camp, which started on April 13, is scheduled to end on April 17, 2026. By Tuesday, April 14, surgeons had successfully operated on eight children, averaging four procedures per day.
The surgeries are being conducted by a team of cardiologists and surgeons from the Uganda Heart Institute, led by senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Michael Oketcho, in collaboration with local surgeons at the hospital headed by Bosco Omongo Ekwan.
The hospital director, Andrew Odur, said the children who have undergone surgery are recovering well.
He noted that the intervention will enable them to regain normal health and improve their chances of leading productive lives.
Dr Odur commended the Uganda Heart Institute for extending specialised services to the region, saying the initiative reduces the burden on families who would otherwise travel long distances for treatment.
“This is a significant step in bringing lifesaving services closer to the people,” he said, adding that the hospital will continue strengthening collaboration with the institute to expand specialised care.
According to Dr Oketcho, the children aged between one and eight years are being treated for congenital heart defects, specifically Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a condition that disrupts normal blood flow and affects growth and development.
He attributed some congenital heart conditions to factors such as maternal infections during pregnancy, including rubella and measles, as well as the use of unprescribed medication.
Health experts warn that signs of heart complications in children include difficulty in breathing, poor feeding, recurrent chest infections and slow growth.
Dr Omongo said the outreach has also provided an opportunity for local medical teams to gain hands-on skills through mentorship by specialists from the Uganda Heart Institute.
“This collaboration is helping us build capacity. In the near future, we aim to start conducting such surgeries independently,” he said.
This is the second paediatric heart surgery camp at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. During a similar outreach last year, 14 children successfully underwent surgery.