This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
Kenya is set to benefit from a Sh50 million partnership between Gertrude's Children's Hospital and Rotary International District 9212 to improve pediatric cardiac care. The 5-year initiative aims to train an initial team of specialists and frontline healthcare workers to provide quality care to children with heart disease.
According to the partners, the program will focus on training pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric perfusionists, and pediatric cardiac nurses to enhance local capacity in providing cardiac care. Additionally, frontline healthcare workers in counties will be trained to sensitize communities on heart disease in children, promoting early diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking during the announcement, Gertrude's Children's Hospital CEO Dr. Robert Nyarango emphasized the need for developing robust local capacity and skills to address the inadequate number of specialists in the country. He noted that few children can afford to travel abroad for cardiac surgery due to the high cost and risk involved.
Rotary International District 9212 Governor 2019-2020, Rotarian Joe Otin, highlighted Rotary's commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Kenya. He stated, "Healthcare workers around the country are crucial to the survival of children with heart disease, especially now that we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. With proper treatment, more than 80 percent of children with heart disease can be cured and live a normal life. Through this partnership, we will increase local health capacity to treat and manage heart conditions."
