EXECUTIVE Director of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH), Prof. Abel Makubi, has outlined key indicators of a child with heart disease, urging parents and guardians to keenly observe the same.

The main symptoms are persistent coughing, poor growth, fatigue during activities other children can do, difficulty in sucking, excessive breathing and bluish tint in the mouth.

Prof. Makubi mentioned the symptoms here yesterday at a heart disease camp for children organised by BMH specialists in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation Children Charity Heart from Kuwait.

“The persistent cough is not the usual two-day cough that responds to medication; it keeps recurring and you might wonder why it keeps coming back. It could indicate an infection.”

He urged parents who observe the symptoms in their children to take them to the hospital for screening and treatment.

“Since the start of the medical camp in 2023, a total of 21 patients have undergone heart surgeries. With the current camp, we will continue performing surgeries until Friday this week. We have 16 paediatric heart specialists from Kuwait, experts in heart surgery and even in heart resuscitation,” he added.

Prof. Makubi emphasised that the purpose of the one-week medical camp is to assist children with heart problems before they reach critical stages.

“Our goal is to ensure that underprivileged children receive the services because the costs are high, making it difficult for the average citizen to afford. Many of the cases we see involve children who have waited too long for heart surgery,” he said.

Faisal Jalil Al-Saidi, Chairman of the board of directors of Children's Heart Charity Association, said that the organisation will ensure children receive the right treatment and gain their normal health.

Dr Kessy Shija, Director of Medical Services at BMH, said that the cost of heart treatment for patients is substantial, ranging from 4m/- to 15m/-, depending on the condition and the basic equipment needed.