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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Researchers at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) have revealed that now they can diagnose heart complications in children using a blood test.
During a research dissemination conference at Kabira Country Club in Kampala, organized by Uganda Heart Institute, researchers revealed that early intervention for sore throats among children can help prevent rheumatic heart disease.
Prof. Emmy Okello, the lead researcher and the chief of cardiology at the Uganda Heart Institute and honorary associate professor at Makerere University, mentioned that their findings show that a blood test can diagnose early forms of heart disease, an unprecedented achievement globally.
“This is the first time this is happening, and we are excited to show the rest of the world that we in Uganda, who suffer from this disease, have generated a solution. Ugandans should be proud, but we need more support,” stated Dr. Okello.
Now, experts at the Institute advocate for placing nursing officials in primary schools for early detection of heart complications among children.
Dr. John Omagino, the Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, highlighted that their data indicates that sore throats among children can lead to rheumatic heart disease. He emphasized the importance of disseminating this information to villages’ primary schools and health centers for early detection and diagnosis.
Rheumatic heart disease starts as a simple and preventable condition. If detected early enough, the disease can be prevented or even reversed. Dr. Omagino advocates for moving services closer to children by having every school attached to a nurse who can check children’s throats, referring cases of sore throat to a health center.
He also calls for increased awareness among teachers, health workers, and village health teams (VHTs), emphasizing that throat pain should not be treated casually.
Additionally, he also mentioned that the Heart Institute’s commitment to tackling such challenges has led to conducting studies that are not only scientifically rigorous but also deeply relevant to the community.
The research presented today spans from 2012 to 2024, covering various topics, from clinical trials and epidemiological studies to innovative diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Omagino added.
He revealed that despite winning a research grant, the lengthy process of bringing the money into the country slows their research, especially for multi-centered trials. This limitation affects their ability to compete internationally, as other countries can access funds and research more quickly.
Dr. John Baptism Wanyai, the Commissioner of Emergency Health Services from the Ministry of Health, representing Minister of Health Ruth Aceng, mentioned that having a nurse at each primary school is a good suggestion. He mentioned that the proposal would be forwarded to the Ministry of Education to create a position for a nurse to track sore throats among children, preventing potential heart complications.
Over the past twelve years, the Uganda Heart Institute has been at the forefront of cardiovascular research, working tirelessly to understand and address the unique cardiovascular health challenges faced by Ugandans.
Globally, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. In Africa, the burden is particularly severe, with hypertension already causing more than 500,000 deaths annually and resulting in 10 million lives lost over the last decade.
Currently, in Uganda, the situation is equally alarming one in four adults has high blood pressure. Additionally, it is estimated that out of the 1.6 million babies born each year, 1% (16,000 babies) suffer from congenital heart disease, with half of these cases (8,000 babies) being severe enough to require intervention.
Uganda also remains endemic for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), the leading cause of preventable acquired heart disease in children and young adults, affecting an estimated 300,000 schoolchildren in the country.
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