King Faisal Hospital’s paediatric cardiac services have been operational since October 2022, successfully performing over 300 surgeries on children in Rwanda. Before establishing its own local program, the hospital relied on foreign specialists to perform heart surgeries on both children and adults. However, this approach proved unsustainable, as patients requiring immediate care often lacked timely access to necessary treatments. Dr. Yayehyirad Ejigu, a paediatric cardiac surgeon at King Faisal Hospital, shared insights about his role in the program. Beyond conducting surgeries, he is responsible for organising and training a team of nurses and surgeons to perform paediatric heart surgeries within Rwanda. ALSO READ: What to know about King Faisal Hospital expansion plan “1 in 100 children are born with a heart disease. In the context of Rwanda, that means 4,000 out of every 400,000 children are affected, with approximately 25% needing surgery. Simply put, about 1,000 children born each year in Rwanda require some form of intervention,” Dr. Yayehyirad explained. Since its inception, the programme has encountered several operational challenges. “One of the biggest hurdles has been the supply chain. Cardiac surgery was not previously performed in Rwanda, making it difficult to source necessary supplies locally. Initially, we faced shortages, especially in the post-COVID era,” Dr. Yayehyirad noted. To overcome this, the hospital partnered with local suppliers to import essential products, ensuring a consistent supply of necessary materials for operations. Addressing staff expertise gaps was another priority. Through collaborations with specialists and hands-on training during surgeries, the hospital has improved the knowledge and skills of its doctors, nurses, and surgeons, ultimately enhancing the quality of care. ALSO READ: King Faisal Hospital to offer Kidney transplant As of 2024, the hospital has successfully performed numerous heart surgeries, transforming the lives of hundreds of children and their families. A particularly notable case involved twin brothers with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome often face congenital heart defects, and the twins’ condition was detected late, posing a life-threatening risk. When brothers Christophe and Christian Ndayisaba began experiencing respiratory issues, their parents took them to the hospital, where they learned the twins had serious congenital problems involving holes in their hearts and leaking valves, necessitating surgery. Concerned about the rarity of such surgeries in Rwanda, their mother, Christine Mukamazimpaka, was apprehensive. “I thought it was impossible because it was complicated and not commonly done in Rwanda,” she said. Initially, the family considered travelling to Israel for surgery, a prohibitively expensive option for both boys. After connecting with King Faisal Hospital, however, the twins were placed on a waiting list due to high demand for surgical procedures. With Christophe’s urgent health issues, their parents sought ways to expedite his access to the necessary medical intervention. With support from the Rwanda Down Syndrome Organization, the twins were prioritised for surgery. In the weeks leading up to the operation, Mukamazimpaka found comfort in speaking with other parents whose children had undergone procedures at King Faisal. “I reached out to other parents, prayed, and held onto hope that my sons would be okay,” she recalled. Fortunately, both brothers underwent successful surgeries. Considering the financial, logistical, and emotional toll of the procedures, the twins' parents requested that both surgeries occur on the same day. One twin was operated on in the morning, and the other in the evening. Both Dr. Yayehyirad and the parents noted the brothers’ visible joy upon being reunited, recovering side by side. Relieved by the successful outcomes, the parents observed significant improvements in their sons’ health and overall well-being. “We are very satisfied with the successful operation on our sons and have seen a huge change in their lives since then,” their father shared. Looking to the future, the family is eager to celebrate milestones with their five-year-old sons. “We hope to see improvements in their speech and development and that they will one day represent people with disabilities.” One major obstacle the family faced during this process was financial. “Finding the money for our sons’ operations was challenging,” Christine explained. Although the Rwanda Social Security Board covered 90% of the total costs, the family struggled to manage the remaining 10%. King Faisal Hospital continues to advocate for social funds to assist families unable to afford even a small percentage. Dr. Yayehyirad emphasised the long-term significance of paediatric heart surgeries. “Providing heart surgeries is crucial because it saves children’s lives, allowing them to become productive members of society, and it reduces infant mortality—a key indicator of a country’s overall health.”
