CBC radio interviewed Dr. Keir Stewart and Dr. Dominique De Waard about the Canadian Rwanda Open-Heart Project. They explained the CROP team’s plan for the future to help spread awareness for the cause.
Click the link below to hear his interview:
Our first visit to Rwanda – May 2022
The Canada Rwanda Open Heart Project (CR-OP) team had their first successful mission trip led by Dr. Keir Stewart, this past May to King Faisal Hospital (KFH) in Kigali, Rwanda.
During the first week the CR-OP team worked alongside the KFH healthcare team to complete seven open heart surgeries on adult Rwandan patients, these ranged from valve replacements to myxoma removals. Patient selection was made through close collaboration with cardiologists and surgeons from both the Canadian and Rwandan teams.
In the OR, Dr. Keir Stewart mentored KFH’s cardiac surgeon, Dr. Maurice Musoni. Dr. Stewart describes the experience as “one of the most enjoyable weeks I have had in a long time. The degree of cooperation and dedication was a joy to be around”. The OR nurses, anesthesiologist and perfusionists formed great bonds with their new colleges while educating and learning from one another.
Over in the ICU the Canadian intensivists, Dr. Andrew Fagan and Dr. Marat Slessarev, collaborated with the CR-OP nursing team to create and stock a functioning cardiovascular intensive care unit. Through group and individual education sessions, the nurses and physicians from KFH showed their eagerness to learn and provided phenomenal post operative care to all of the patients that received surgery.
During the first week, Dr. Adam Clarke spent time in the Cardiac Cath Lab working with KFH’s cardiologists. They were able to improve the quality of life for multiple Rwandan citizens by implanting permanent pacemakers.
Once the CR-OP team was back home in Canada, updates were provided by Queen, KFH’s nurse manager. Everyone was thrilled to hear all patients were discharged from the hospital and continue to do well at home.
Working with KFH’s staff members was an incredibly positive experience for the entire CR-OP team. The team was welcomed warmly and built lasting relationships throughout the week as they learned from one another and worked toward a shared goal. The adult team is truly looking forward to their next visit.