JKCI Medical team treats 200 heart patients in Shinyanga

SHINYANGA: 213 people, 190 of them adults and 23 children, have received heart examination and treatment services during the two-day Special Medical camp held at the Shinyanga Regional Referral Hospital.

This was stated by the Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI), Dr Peter Kisenge, while speaking to journalists about the success of the camp held in the Shinyanga region.

Dr Kisenge, who is also a specialist in heart diseases, said that among the people they attended, 34 were found to have heart complications that required specialist treatment, and they were, therefore, referred to JKCI for treatment.

“We have referred 26 adults and eight children who we found to have heart valve problems, their hearts are tired and therefore unable to work properly, enlarged hearts, heart valves, and blocked blood vessels”, said Dr Kisenge.

Adding, he said, “Heart diseases are preventable diseases if you follow professional advice, I urge citizens to focus on eating healthy foods, including vegetables and fruits, exercising even by walking for 150 minutes a week, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption”.

Dk Kisenge advised people to build a habit of testing their health even once a year, to get enough sleep, at least seven hours, and prevent stress by doing this, you will avoid getting heart disease.

Dr. Kisenge said yesterday was the second day since they started the medical camp. He urged citizens of the Shinganya region and neighboring regions to come out in large numbers to test their heart health in the remaining three days and asked them to use this valuable opportunity, since the service is close to them.

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On the part of the residents who received services at the camp, they thanked JKCI for the service, saying it has helped them to understand their heart’s health and reduced their need to follow such services in Dar es Salaam.

“I am grateful for the service I received; it is good. I arrived here early, had all the heart tests, and met with a specialist who has given me knowledge of heart diseases and started me on medication because my heart has been diagnosed with a blood vessel blockage problem. I have been referred to JKCI for treatment,” said John Jilanga, a resident of Kahama.