By Martin Mbiata
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – Few battles in medicine are as noble as the ones being fought against congenital heart defects (CHD) in children. These children’s tiny, fragile hearts present a challenge that requires extreme precision and skill.
While progress has been made in the fight against CHD, one critical aspect requires our continued attention: honing the expertise of medical practitioners.
By strengthening training and technical capacity, we bridge the
gap between good intentions and remarkable breakthroughs, propelling paediatric cardiac healthcare to unprecedented heights.
The stakes are enormous. Congenital heart defects affect nearly 1% of all newborn children worldwide. In Kenya, the Ministry of Health acknowledges that there is little data on the prevalence of congenital heart disease in the country.
According to someestimates, at least 10,000 children are born yearly with heart disease. These young patients require interventions that only skilled hands and knowledgeable minds can provide.
Strides are continually being made in increasing the numbers of these hands and minds, with efforts in local surgical training already bearing fruits and programs for local paediatric cardiology about to start germinating.
While there are skilled paediatric cardiac surgeons and cardiologists in the country, the demand for these experts is a long way from being met, especially considering the skill and expertise learning curve is steep given the labyrinthine complexities of paediatric cardiac care.
This is where aggressive investment in training can make all the difference. By
providing them with deep, specialized knowledge of paediatric cardiology, we empower medical practitioners to take on these complex cases confidently.
Residency and continuing medical education programs should include paediatric cardiac training, providing a well-rounded curriculum that covers the anatomy and physiology of paediatric hearts, the most recent advances in diagnostics and treatments, and evencommunication strategies tailored to young patients and their families.
The rapid advancement of medical technology allows for precise diagnosis and ground-breaking treatments. These tools, ranging from complex imaging methods to minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical instruments, can potentially transform paediatric cardiac care.
Nonetheless, they are only effective in capable hands. As a result, mastering their application is critical. Equipping the medical field with cutting-edge technology and providing hands-on training can ensure that technology is seamlessly integrated into the treatment process.
Furthermore, fostering alliances within and outside the medical sector can help create solutions tailored to the specific needs of paediatric cardiac patients.
This collaboration enables sharing of skills, equipment and knowledge as well as aid in overcoming financial challenges encountered in care of this patient population.
It also produces innovative tools and practical, patient-centric marvels such as equipment and procedures that reduce invasiveness, speed recovery, and improve the overall quality of life for young patients and their families.
Beyond the practical, however, there is an ethical imperative. Every child deserves the best chance at a healthy life. By investing in training and technology, we uphold this principle in its purest form.
The stories of parents seeking superior care for their children should inspire us to make such care the norm rather than the exception. It is about more than just saving lives; it is about nurturing our future and easing families’ emotional and financial burdens.
Such investments in technology and training will, indeed, be costly. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Improved outcomes imply fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and less strain on healthcare systems.
Furthermore, advances in paediatric cardiac care reverberate throughout the medical sector, enriching our collective wisdom and competence for the benefit of all.
In recognition of the critical role of training and technology, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital established a cardiac program, which has saved 183 lives since 2014. We opened the region’s first cardiac surgery simulation lab earlier this year to help equip more medics with life-saving skills.
The best part is that we are not alone. A few organisations within Kenya are putting commendable time, effort and resources into upskilling medical professionals in paediatric cardiology from diagnosis to treatment.
Aside from investing in training and technology, public awareness is another aspect that requires our attention. People who are knowledgeable about the symptoms, risks, and treatments available for paediatric cardiac conditions can serve as the first line of defence.
By disseminating accurate information, we empower parents and caregivers to seek prompt medical attention and potentially avoid late presentations where intervention options are limited. In the world of paediatric cardiac care, knowledge can mean the difference between life and death.
As I conclude, I must emphasize that the time has come to renew our commitment to strengthening cardiac care for children. We are collectively working to improve outcomes for many children each year by improving medical practitioners’ skills, upgrading the technology they use, and transforming the public into advocates for early intervention. As we move forward, let us remember that those young hearts deserve the best champions.
The writer is a Consultant Paediatrician/Paediatric Cardiologist at the Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital
