UNTH: 8 INDIGENT CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM FREE OPEN HEART SURGERY

Eight indigent children have successfully undergone free open heart surgery at the University Of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State. The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Doctor Christopher Amah told Radio Nigeria that the surgery was facilitated by two NGOs, the Open Heart Pobic International and Rotary International that signed a five year memorandum of Understanding , MOU with the institition.

The MOU signed by Open Heart Pobic International with UNTH Ituku Ozalla, Enugu is to guarantee qualitative free open heart surgery and health care to indigent children with heart diseases. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Doctor Christopher Amah described the arrangement and its success as epoch making.

Furthermore, the Leader of the Open Heart Pobic International, Mr Paolo Novellini who spoke with the help of an interpreter, Mr Festus Adedayo explained that the MOU also included taking children with complicated heart diseases to Italy, free of charge for further treatment.

The surgical team led by Doctor Franchesco Santoro expressed satisfaction with the state of the Cardiac centre at UNTH. A top official from another sponsor of the project, Rotary International said the organization had been on charity mission in the country since 2007.

Some relatives of beneficiaries of the free open heart surgery who were seen beaming with smiles thanked the hospital and sponsors for giving their loved ones another opportunity to live a healthy life. The next session of the free open heart surgery by Pobic International will be in November this year.

Meanwhile,the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FRCN, Enugu Chapel has commended UNTH for its giant strides in cardiology. The Chairman, Mr. Emeka Anyalebechi made the commendation when he led a delegation of the Union’s executive on a courtesy visit to the Management of the hospital.

Mr. Anyalebechi pointed out that the feat the hospital had achieved in open heart surgery had brought succor to many Nigerians. Responding, the Chief Medical Director, UNTH Enugu, Doctor Christopher Amah, announced that the hospital in collaboration with some non governmental organizations, was carrying out free cardiac surgery for over fifty Nigerian children.

Doctor Amah noted that UNTH, Enugu was known for having the best facilities for cardiac surgery in Nigeria. Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of Award to the Chief Medical Director, UNTH, Enugu, Doctor Christopher Amah.

ADAKU AGBARA