Dr. Gene Freid's thoughts

This is a second year providing anesthesia care at Mulago Hospital and Uganda Heart Institute. This year has brought added complexity with smaller and younger children and more complex congenital heart lesions. All 10 children have had surgery and are recovering nicely. It has been rewarding to see the children recover and walk about the halls knowing that their heart is repaired and they have a chance for a normal childhood.

What strikes me about this mission is the outstanding teamwork amongst the UNC team members and the Uganda Heart Institute staff with a common goal to provide safe surgical and postoperative conditions. There have been numerous tribulations this year ranging from illness in both the US and Ugandan team members; several children with respiratory infections and 3 of the children with active malaria. The anesthesia delivery system failed in the middle of one of the cases requiring completion of the case without it and a late night anesthesia machine repair “party” to repair it as replacement parts were not available. Drs. Mijumbi and Ejoku, the Ugandan anesthesiologists have demonstrated excellent clinical skills and are close to functioning independently.

Through all of the adversity team members have tirelessly pitched in- nurses, Respiratory Care Practitioners, biomedical engineers, surgeons and ICU attendings alike - to assist the anesthesia team in providing safe intraoperative care of the children. Separate thanks need to go to Karla, Katherine, Jen and Rueben assuring that all needed supplies were on site and Dr. Kocis for his energy, enthusiasm and effectiveness in coordinating such a large scale project.

-- Gene Freid