Why 20percent of babies born at Bugando have heart defects

On average, 20 children are transported from Bugando to JKCI every month for open-heart surgery, but not all undergo the procedures due to financial and insurance challenges — resulting in preventable deaths.

BMC executive director Sister Alicia Masenga shared the findings yesterday during World Heart Day commemorations held at the facility.

National data shows that two in every 100 children are born with heart problems each year. Specialists warn that many go undiagnosed and die while being treated for other illnesses, including pneumonia, tuberculosis and shortness of breath.

A paediatric cardiologist at Bugando, Dr Julieth Kabirigi, said the condition can be caused by pregnancy-related illnesses, diabetes, poor diet, anaemia and lack of essential nutrients such as iron and folic acid.

  “Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking during pregnancy also pose risks, although the number of women who admit to drinking or smoking is relatively small.

I think there is more to it than just alcohol and tobacco,” she said.

Dr Kabirigi noted that although no direct research has been done, the problem appears to be more pronounced in the Lake Zone, where mining activities expose people to explosions and radiation that may affect foetal heart development.

“We see many cases from Tarime, Nyamongo, Mwadui, Kahama and Geita — areas where we get many children with holes in their hearts or other congenital defects.”

Dr Kabirigi emphasised the need for quality maternal services, community education on prevention and stronger household economies to give families hope and access to treatment when heart conditions arise.

She added that up to 50 percent of children born with genetic or structural abnormalities have heart defects.

“Of these, 75 percent have holes in the heart. Around 10 percent of these close on their own with medication or special follow-up, but another 10 percent require open-heart surgery,” she said, calling for more research and greater public education for expectant mothers on nutrition and disease prevention.

“Heart defects can be treated if detected early. Once the hole is closed, the child can recover completely. I have many patients who are thriving after surgery.”

Current situation at Bugando

The hospital’s cardiology department receives between 20 and 40 children every week — roughly 200 to 240 per month — with 40 to 50 percent presenting with congenital or acquired heart disease.

Sister Masenga said the biggest challenge is the lack of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab), which would reduce referrals and save lives.

“Eight years ago, we managed to perform open-heart surgeries on more than 100 patients, but these procedures have since stopped due to a lack of key equipment such as heater coolers, diagnostic machines and personnel,” she said, adding that since 2007, about 2,000 patients  both children and adults  have benefited from heart services at Bugando, but many still develop complications because of delayed treatment.

To improve care, Sister Masenga recommended continuous professional training, routine heart screening at health centres to reduce late referrals, integrating cardiac care into general health services and continued public awareness campaigns.

Mwanza Regional Medical Officer Jesca Lebba said that of the 225,000 people who accessed non-communicable disease (NCD) services in 2024, 5,126 were diagnosed with heart disease.

She urged the public to avoid alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity, while encouraging expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics early for screening.

Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda also called on residents to protect their heart health by adopting healthier lifestyles and consuming nutritious food.

Parents of children treated for heart conditions at Bugando echoed these concerns.

Ms Dorkas Misango, a resident of Igoma, Mwanza, whose child underwent surgery at JKCI, said, “My child is doing well now, but I wish Bugando could perform the surgeries to save families from the high cost of travel.”

Another parent, Mr Joseph Salaganda from Shinyanga, whose child was diagnosed at six months, said many families resort to traditional remedies due to a lack of awareness.

“At first, doctors said it was pneumonia, but when we came to Bugando they discovered it was a heart problem. My child underwent surgery and is now fine.

There are many children in our communities with such conditions who end up suffering because they are treated traditionally instead of receiving proper medical care,” he said.

Hypertension cases rising

Meanwhile, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute director, Dr Peter Kisenge, said cases of hypertension have risen from 1.73 million in 2023/24 to 1.77 million in 2024/25, representing a 98 percent increase.

Hypertension occurs when blood pressure exceeds the normal level of 120/80 mmHg, exerting excessive force against artery walls and potentially damaging blood vessels and vital organs.

Data from the Tanzania Health Information System (DHIS2) indicates an increase in reported cases from 1.31 million in 2019/20 to 1.66 million in 2023/24.