When a child suffers from a congenital heart defect like Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), early intervention is everything. For hundreds of families across Eastern Uganda, however, the financial and logistical burden of traveling to the capital for specialized care has long been a daunting barrier.

To bridge this gap, the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) partnered with Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for an intensive multi-day pediatric surgical camp. UHI’s mobile team of pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and specialized nurses set up temporary operating suites to perform life-saving closed-heart procedures locally.

Beyond repairing young hearts, these outreach camps double as hands-on mentorship initiatives. Local hospital staff work alongside UHI specialists, building regional capacity and paving the way for a fully decentralized cardiac care network.