Bring that pressure down

SEVENTEEN heart patients who flew to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi for subsidised heart surgeries under the banner of Lions Club of Dar es Salaam (Host), in collaboration with Regency Medical Centre and Ministry of Health Zanzibar, are due to arrive today evening by Emirates flight after successful heart surgeries.

The Minister of State of External Affairs in India, Hon. Mrs Preneet Kaur visited this group of 17 children and their escorts along with the Tanzanian delegation from Tanzania High Commission in New Delhi during the farewell of this group of 24.

She was deeply touched by this Tanzania Babies Heart Project which continues to give ‘New Lease of Life’ to such patients, with surgical repairable heart defects who otherwise succumb to needless premature deaths. She presented them with gifts and wished them a long life ahead and prayed that they become useful citizens of Tanzania.

The historical patient from Masai community, Mrs Mbaima Zuberi, the first Masai patient out of more than 3,000 heart patients so far, also received gifts and was in high spirits following her successful surgery and a special photograph was taken with Hon Pernit Kaur and the entire staff of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.

Dhulkhulaifat Salum, a two year baby old from Tanzania had problems digesting foods and despite undergoing surgery in Tanzania still felt no respite.

But now as part of a 17 patients group, she underwent a successful treatment procedure at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute using the balloon angioplasty technique of cardiac treatment and is able to eat properly.

“He used to vomit everything as soon as he ate, he had an operation in Tanzania which did not succeed but this one has been successful, earlier he used to weigh only 3.5 kg but he is now a healthy 8.4kg, ” said Dr Ali Amour who escorted the patients.

We are very grateful to the Cardiologist, Dr Kiran Patel from Florida, USA who sponsored heart surgery for Masai lady and also pledged other 5 surgeries through his Global understanding Foundation of USA.

We would like to thank the Indian High Commissioner for providing us with gratis visa, Lion Mr Shiraz Rashid and Lion Mr Shiraz Jessa, for providing 2 air tickets. Regency Medical Centre for sponsoring three heart surgeries and also Ministry of Health for sponsoring heart patients from Zanzibar.

The Co-convener of the project Lion Shiraz Rashid also expressed special thanks for our regular supporter – Dr Reginald Mengi for sponsoring 5 heart surgeries (children) from Uganda. They are due to fly next month.