Jane Mulambia, a 32yr old mother and wife was diagnosed with a large left atrial myxoma, a benign tumour of the heart chamber. If left untreated, it would have either obstructed the chamber or led to the formation of clots that in turn could cause strokes, pulmonary embolisms, DVTs or even blindness.
Prior to being diagnosed, Jane noticed that despite being pregnant, she was getting increasingly short of breath and was generally weak beyond what she would expect in pregancy. It was only during routine tests that doctors at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) realised that there was something wrong with her heart. Further tests revealed that she had this growth in her heart and although much to her relief, she had an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, she knew that her future was uncertain.
Like many other heart patients in Zambia who require surgery, Jane knew that her only hope at the time was for Ministry of Health or well-wishers to sponsor her to have the procedure abroad. And she knew that the chances of that happening were quite slim.
In the cardiac ward at UTH where she would be admitted for a few days every so often, some of the patients who had been there for months and of whom Jane had become acquinted with, would share tales of their journeys so far, a lot of them showing signs of despair and fading hope. For some of these patients, they had been there for months, nothing had happened and they were becoming increasing unwell. A few had already resigned to their fate.
Despite this Jane was optimistic about her chances and prayed about this.
On the 24th March 2011, under the Mutima Project, she underwent a three hour procedure to remove the tumour. She made a very good postoperative recovery, spending only one night in the intesnive care unit and was pacing up and around the ward two days later.
On a live national television show a few days later, Jane shared with the audience on how lucky and blessed she felt, to have had her operation free of charge, within the city she lives in and just in a time.
Jane still thinks of all her other friends on the cardiac ward at UTH who weren’t as fortunate and wonders what their fates will be.
There are over 300 adults patients on the waiting list and an undisclosed number of paediatric patients. Until recently, only 50 such Zambian patients have had their operation. And of these, most have either been sponsored by charities and/or other well wishers and some by the government when it could afford it. They are usually sent abroad but a few were operated on at UTH by visiting cardiac surgeons under difficult operating conditions.
The Mutima project is a project by volunteers which aims to perform 100 life-saving heart operations on young underprivileged Zambian patients at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka to be carried out over the next five years.
On the 21st March 2011, a team of over 30 medical personnel from New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, led by Harsh Singh a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, performed the first of seven successful cardiac operations in Lusaka. This was the first of five missions to be conducted annually.
Unfortunately, the next mission to Zambia has had to be pushed back by a few months. Orginally it was scheduled to take place at the end of this month(April 2012).
The team is now expected to travel to Zambia sometime in August.
This project requires huge resources and funds and every little help they get will go a long way to making this litterally a life saving and life changing experience for a lot of cardiac patients in Zambia.
If you would like to donate to the Mutima project CLICK HERE
This is a very good project if all of us we can make a donation will takes a long way .
touching story.Its really sad that Zambia can not help its cardiac patients.I think the government really needs to re capitalise the health institutions.however big thumbs up to the Mutima project and I will be donating as soon as I get my pay check
We have the resources as a country to buy state-of-the-art medical equipment like the ones at Morningside Clinic in Jo-burg. What about the K2trillion lost in oil-deals, what about money used to purchase mobile hospitals from China? One mobile clinic could be equivalent to some heart operating equipment or even for the specialist brain surgeries for our beloved fellow Zambians.
Thank you to the Mutima Project. A reminder that while others sit on the side complaining there are those out there making a difference. Speedy recovery Jane. Let’s hope investment in health services will make it possible for all to be treated. Any of us could be the one waiting in the health system for a chance to be healed.
I lost my beloved as a result of this similar phenomena on 15th Febraury 2012.MHSRIP.
I am now a young widower. I feel sad indeed as my wife left me with four handsome sons and six months old baby.Anyway, I give thanks to the Almighty God for her life she spent with me here on earth. I shall one day meet her in eternity. God bless All..!!
Condolences to you and family. HE is faithful. May you find support, strength and healing and raise those boys with the knowledge she left part of herself in each one.
D chaps sorry for your loss.I pray for strength for you and your kids
Good job Mutima project, please take care of our president , Ukwa as well…..please releive the taxayers.
Mutima project is a testament to decades of failure by various governments in zambia to set up a strong health system. Health is not a high priority among these fools.
The day politicians will HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ZAMBIAN MEDICS, is the day the health system will improve!! BUT FOR AS LONG AS OUR LEADERS RUN TO WHERE-EVER for their health check-ups as they call them, FORGET IT!!!!!!
Thanks Wouter. I noticed the lumabr part as well. I am just unsure, if it just seems like it, because of all the layers Ib4m wearing, or if Ib4m indeed a little rounded. I will keep it in mind thought. Do you have any suggestions about the head. It really bothers me, that I canb4t keep it in line.
hi, been collecting good reads on iivnopmrg my credit and this resource is my best pick for you hope you find them very useful too!have a super day and goodluck