Mombasa heart surgery patients to be discharged by Friday

Two patients who underwent first open-heart surgery at the Coast General Hospital are recuperating well at the hospital’s Intensive care Unit (ICU).

Ms Catherine Thaara, 41, and Ms Khadija Kavumbi, 22, who benefitted from the first open-heart surgery to be conducted at a public hospital besides Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were on Wednesday in high spirits and even afforded to smile and talk to visitors.

“They are recuperating very well, both of them have been excubated and fully conscious in fact one of them is even feeding.

"They are doing much better than what I would have thought considering how critical and sensitive the cardiothoracic surgery is,” said Dr Iqbal Khandwalla, the hospital chief administrator.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho led some Coast MPs to the hospital including Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Abdhullswamad Nassir (Mvita) and Mombasa woman representative Mishi Mboko to the hospital to check on the patients’ progress.

Ms Kavumbi and Ms Thaara thanked the governor and the Mvita Mp for funding their medical bills.

“I am feeling a little pain on the chest. But all is well,” said Ms Kavumbi.

“I can talk, God is truly alive, and my journey has ended. With faith we will make it through,” said Ms Thaara.

Dr Khandwalla congratulated the entire medical team from Kenyatta National Hospital and those from the Coast General Hospital.

He said the two might leave the ICU in a two days.

The team of 12 heart specialists, led by Dr Sero Aseyo of Coast General and Dr James Munene of Kenyatta National Hospital, were on Wednesday in the theatre operating on another patient which the doctors deemed more complicated.

“It is a case which is little more difficult because the valve is actually getting repaired and maybe even one of them might be replaced. We hope and pray all the three patients leave the hospital in a better condition and free form the disease,” he said.

The leaders went to the ICU boardroom to watch the third patient undergoing operation where video conferencing facilities had been installed.

The administrator told the governor he has received enquiries from many Kenyans about the surgery.

Dr Khandwalla said the program will continue on a monthly basis to enable Kenyans access affordable and high quality services.

Meanwhile it is jubilation in the entire coast region as the residents welcomed news that the largest hospital can now conduct the sensitive and expensive operation at an affordable price.

“A job well done! Hope the other counties will follow the example,” said Joel Mwaura.

Christopher Ndong'a said: “That is a big breakthrough for Coast Provincial General Hospital.”

Mohdhar Mohamed said: “Mombasa has made history! thumbs up!”

“I was planning to go to India for a heart surgery, but after what I saw on television I have changed my mind,” said Mariam Kivale a rheumatic heart sufferer in Changamwe.

Most patients suffering from heart disease have been seeking medical attention in India and Tanzania, but this might change after the referral hospital received a green light to conduct the surgery.

Dr Sore said about 200 people in Mombasa County alone are in need of surgery as per the referrals he has been given by other specialist doctors from private hospitals.

Dr Sore says private hospitals charge Sh1million for the operation whereas public hospitals charge around Sh200,000.

“Our patients have been suffering because KNH was the only public hospital conducting this type of surgery but things have now changed. Whenever they are referred to KNH, they are put on a waiting list up to 2017. It is a big step for this region’s medical fraternity,” he said.

He said medical students can also specialise in heart diseases.

He said it will also decongest KNH.

Dr Munene said eventually the referral hospital will conduct the surgeries without needing specialist doctors from KNH.

The governor promised to employ more specialist doctors and train others who want to specialise in that area of field.

Coast General and Referral Hospital is the largest public health facility in the region, with a 700 bed capacity.

The hospital also takes an average of 700-800 patients per day however congestion of patients has become a perennial problem as many travel from as far as Tanzania and North Eastern region to access subsidised medical services at the facility.