THE GREAT WALL IN CARDIAC SURGERY

( a piece from my notes during cardiothoracic rotation here at Tenwek hospital)?

On one side, there are so many sick patients on waiting list for surgery. On the other side, the operation theatre is open and functioning with Surgeons, perfusionists, nurses and needed equipments there. But there is a Great Wall between the two sides- FINANCE! Patients who need surgery right now are on waiting list just because of this wall even at this institution doing it at at comparably cheaper price.?

Heart surgery is expensive by its nature and I don’t even know how many heart surgeons across Africa can afford the surgery they do if they end up needing one. Having food on the table but starving in the kitchen, how sad! “ the grass is plenty but the goat is tied” analogy applying in this context.?

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):?Article 25 of this declaration states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including medical care.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966):?Article 12 specifically recognizes the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and calls upon states to take steps to achieve this right.

Through vaccines and antibiotics, several diseases that once were great threat to humanity have been conquered and eradicated through?collaborative efforts. If brilliant brains and caring hearts from governance, healthcare and insurance companies come together, I believe this wall will soon become a history and the sun will rise for suffering hearts!?