Health 15 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
11 Children Receive Life-Changing Heart Surgeries at Lira Hospital
A team from Uganda Heart Institute is conducting a five-day pediatric heart surgery camp at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where eight of 11 children aged 1-8 with congenital heart defects have already been successfully operated on and are recovering well. Hospital director Dr. Andrew Odur expressed optimism for their full recovery and praised the initiative for bringing specialized care closer to the Acholi and Lango regions. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hope-as-11-children-undergo-heart-surgery-at-lira-hospital-5425198
Families in Uganda’s Acholi and Lango sub-regions are celebrating as a specialized medical camp brings hope to children with heart conditions. At Lira Regional Referral Hospital, surgeons from Uganda Heart Institute, led by Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Michael Oketcho, are performing pediatric closed heart surgeries.
The five-day camp, running from April 13 to 17, targets 11 children aged between 1 and 8 years suffering from Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital defect causing abnormal blood flow that hinders growth and well-being. By Tuesday, eight procedures had been completed successfully.
Dr. Andrew Odur, the hospital director, shared that the operated children are steadily recovering and poised to regain normal function and thrive. He commended Uganda Heart Institute for decentralizing specialized services and thanked the Ministry of Health for their support, aligning with the hospital’s goal to expand such capabilities.
Dr. Oketcho noted potential causes like maternal illnesses during pregnancy, such as rubella or measles, or unprescribed medications. Symptoms in affected children include breathing difficulties, poor feeding, and frequent chest infections.
Local surgeon Dr. Bosco Omongo Ekwam highlighted the valuable mentoring from the visiting team and aspirations to perform heart surgeries independently soon. This marks the second such camp at the hospital, following last year’s operation on 14 children.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)