Samaritan’s Purse, Kenya

Dear Ms. Scanlan. 

Having returned from my trip to Kenya, I wanted to give you a report. I’m writing on behalf of the surgeons at Tenwick Hospital: Dr Russ White, Dr Arega, Dr Lando , Dr Lijalem and Dr Yonas as well as the team at  Samaritans Purse. 

The instruments you provided were such an upgrade. It’s hard to describe. Most days we did 3-4 cases and the new instruments made an immediate impact. Although they had plenty of instruments and trays, most of them were very tired and old and they would have been retired or refurbished if that had been an option. Not only are there shortages of proper instruments but virtually any other supplies routinely used in heart surgery. Disposables are resterilized and used again. The new scissors were especially a blessing to us all. 

The spectrum of cardiac disease in sub-Saharan Africa is completely different than the West. Most are suffering from untreated Rheumatic Fever and the effects on the heart. This often results in mitral and aortic valve obstruction. Then tricuspid valve dysfunction follows. There are literally millions of patients in sub- Saharan Africa, who are suffering from end stage rheumatic, valvular disease. Most have no hope of diagnosis or treatment. 

During my time there most of the cases were aortic and mitral valve replacements in patient with severely debilitated right and left ventricles. Ages were much younger than in the West— generally children to age 40.

While I was there we did the first off pump coronary bypass surgery that’s ever been done in Kenya. It was  unusual because there’s not very much coronary artery disease in Africa.  

Below are several pictures which will show you the instruments you donated in use.  Several operative pictures are included as you requested.  There is no patient identification information.

We all want to thank you on behalf of the African people from multiple countries who will benefit from the use of these new instruments. 

My plan will be to return sometime in the next year. I’ll keep you appraised of the progress of the program. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous donation to this important work.  

God bless you and your team for partnering with us, 

Robert B Love MD , FACS FRCS (London)