JKCI conducts heart screening exercise to 2,000 students in Coast

KIBAHA: 2,328 students from Maili moja Primary School and Bundikani Secondary School in Kibaha District, Coast Region have undergone initial screening for heart disease.

The screening was conducted during a two-day special camp organized by Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) as part of the Institute’s 10th anniversary celebrations since its establishment.

Speaking at the conclusion of the camp, the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) Pediatric Cardiologist Stella Mongela said six children have been referred to JKCI for further testing and two children have been referred to the Coast Regional Referral Hospital (Tumbi).

Dr Stella said that after the students underwent a heart rate test, 34 students who had heart disease indicators underwent an echocardiography test, where six children were found to have heart disease.

Speaking at different times, the students who underwent the test thanked the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) for reaching out to them and providing them with education about heart disease.

Shania Hassan of Bundikani Secondary School said that she had no knowledge about heart disease before, but through the camp, she was able to gain knowledge that will help her protect herself from these diseases.

“We have been urged to exercise for health, today I have had the opportunity to know the importance of exercising, but I also know that exercise is part of prevention against heart disease”, said Shania.

Emmanuel Mangano thanked the Institute for following up and providing them with services, praying that the Institute will continue to be more successful in providing heart treatment services.

“Today I am very happy to have received good education about heart diseases, as this Institute continues to provide heart surgery services, may it continue to be successful and more well-known,” said Emmanuel.