Mombasa,KENYA:Many young children in Mombasa are reported to suffer from heart conditions .
This is according to officials from the county department of health.
Speaking in Mombasa during Mater heart run, Mombasa County health executive Hazel Koitaba said that most of this complications are attributed by lifestyles.
‘A lot of young children between 5 years and 14 years are suffering from heart diseases which can be prevented at earlier stage’said Koitaba.
She urged parents to seek medical care once they suspect heart complications related signs from their children.
“We encourage parents to pay close attention to their children. Persistent sore throat, high temperature and fatigue are some common symptoms of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD),” advised Mrs. Koitaba
Mombasa County government has said that will continue to partner with Mater heart run to ensure children from poor backgrounds suffering heart related diseases are treated.
Last year six children from Mombasa County went through heart surgery which was sponsored by Mater heart run after their families failed to raise money for treatment.
Ms.Koitaba said that the County government of Mombasa has launched a heart surgery at Coast general and children suffering from heart diseases will no longer travel to Nairobi for medication.
“We have 43 improved public health facilities courtesy of county government where we encourage people with any heart related symptoms to seek health attention. Coast general hospital has been refurbished where we offering cardiac services and have performed open heart surgery in the last few months,” explained Mrs. Hazel Koitoba
The Mater heart run is an annual initiative conducted in different major cities in Kenya aimed at raising awareness and donations to support children with heart problem who cannot afford the cost of cardiac surgery.
The sixth edition of this run which aims to raise 200 million to help poor children with heart related problems took place in nine counties across the country; Nairobi, Kisumu, Nyeri, Machakos, Meru, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega and Mombasa.
Additional reporting by Dennis Mwangi.
