malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
PARIRENYATWA GROUP OF HOSPITALS (PGH) plans to conduct 60 open-heart surgeries this year, in what is set to be a significant milestone in provision of the critical procedure in Zimbabwe.
Since resuming open-heart surgeries in June last year, Parirenyatwa’s team of medical experts has successfully performed 25 such operations.
Before resumption of the service, the last open-heart surgery at the hospital was conducted in October 2018 owing to shortages of essential medical supplies.
Patients with various heart ailments had to seek treatment abroad, often in India.
Over 400 patients are presently on the waiting list for open-heart surgery at Parirenyatwa. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, PGH acting public relations officer Ms Mirriam Muteskwa said: “We have performed 25 cases since the resumption (of the service).
“This is half the number we expected to do, mainly due to delays in resupply of consumables.
“Our target this year is to do at least 60 patients in total.
“We are in the process of securing the necessary consumables to make the programme successful.”
The hospital, she said, was engaging private companies for support to complement Government’s efforts.
“This year, we plan to hold at least two camps, where we can do more cases in a short time. We are collaborating with established international units for technical support,” she said.
Ms Muteskwa said most patients who have undergone the procedure were either suffering from rheumatic heart disease or required valve replacements.
The hospital has also treated patients suffering from congenital heart disease and excised heart tumours, as well as one with traumatic heart injuries.
Open-heart surgery is a major procedure performed to address various heart conditions.
It is carried out to treat heart problems like coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), heart valve issues, heart failure and congenital heart defects (present at birth).
The procedure entails cutting open and performing surgery on the muscles, valves or arteries of the heart to treat problems such as heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Added Ms Muteskwa: “We have been doing fairly well. We have lost three of our patients . . . we expect to improve with time.”
She said those who undergo the procedure are generally monitored for life.
“Once they have recovered from surgery, we send our patients for Exit Echo to assess the heart function,” she said.
“The patients who have mechanical valves are put on anticoagulants (blood thinners) and they are monitored monthly.”
Patients, she added, also regularly go for review to assess clinical conditions.
“Our waiting list has around 400 patients. However, this does not reflect the true waiting list. Some patients are not captured due to lack of adequate resources and being far from the major health centres.”
Online Reporter