In a groundbreaking milestone for Uganda’s healthcare system, TMR International Hospital has successfully performed its first-ever closed-heart surgery—a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligation—on a 9-month-old baby from Kagadi District.
The life-saving procedure was offered at no cost to the child’s family, marking the start of TMR’s ambitious journey into advanced cardiac care.
PDA is a congenital heart defect where a blood vessel that should close after birth remains open, causing abnormal blood flow and straining the heart and lungs. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including heart failure and growth problems.
Dr Muhoozi Rwakaryebe, Consultant Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon and team lead for the procedure, explained: “A PDA ligation closes the defect, allowing children to grow without complications such as recurrent pneumonia or heart failure. This is the first surgery of its kind at TMR, and we hope to make such life-saving procedures routine here.”
The successful surgery was made possible through TMR’s state-of-the-art operating theatre and a skilled team comprising cardiovascular surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, and critical care nurses.
Dr Cornelius Ssendagire, Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist & Intensivist and the lead anesthesiologist for the operation, expressed his pride in the outcome: “Today, I was honoured to be part of this ground-breaking surgery. We are thrilled the child is recovering well and will soon return home. We are grateful to TMR and our sponsors for making this possible.”
The procedure was funded through a partnership between the TMR Foundation and Upasuaji International, a non-profit dedicated to improving surgical access across East Africa.
Lynsay Balumuka, Executive Director of Upasuaji International, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “This success reflects our shared vision to increase access to surgical care for children with heart conditions. By building capacity and investing in sustainable healthcare infrastructure, we are creating a permanent foundation for improved health outcomes across the region.”
For the child’s family, the surgery was life-changing. Ms Monica Karungi, the baby’s mother, expressed her gratitude: “I was so worried about my baby’s condition. Seeing him healthy and smiling after the surgery is a blessing. I can’t thank TMR and Upasuaji enough for giving us hope and saving my son’s life.”
TMR International Hospital plans to perform more life-saving heart surgeries in the coming weeks, reinforcing its commitment to complementing Uganda’s existing cardiac care infrastructure.
Dr Daniel M. Talemwa, Executive Director of TMR International Hospital, emphasised the hospital’s long-term vision: “This milestone demonstrates what collaboration can achieve. While the Uganda Heart Institute remains the backbone of cardiac care in the country, the demand far exceeds capacity. Our goal is to expand access, reduce surgical backlogs, and train more specialists, ensuring no Ugandan family has to suffer or make impossible sacrifices for life-saving heart surgery.”
TMR’s dedication to quality is backed by three ISO certifications in Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015), and Occupational Health & Safety (ISO 45001:2018), ensuring all procedures meet international standards of safety and patient care.