Open heart surgery was on Tuesday successfully performed on five patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. The surgery was performed by a team of medical doctors based in the United States of America, USA, under the auspices ofGlobal Eagle Foundation.

The doctors were led by Dr. Joe Nwiloh, an indigene of the state, while the operation was carried out in partnership with the State Government and the Catholic Diocese of Awka.

News Express reports that the hospital’s Heart Center is named after Dr. Nwiloh, who attracted the project.

Out of the five patients operated upon, four were adults, while one was a child, all reported to be with failing hearts.

Speaking on the successful operation, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uju Nwogu, said that one of the patients was the first in the South-East and South-South zones of the country to undergo a coronary artery bypass surgery. She said that this was made possible by the state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and mechanical support which the center has for all heart-related ailments.

Dr Nwogu noted that Adazi Nnukwu hospital has become very popular in the area of heart surgery as many people now go there for routine checks and consultations.

Nwogu called on Nigerians to avail themselves of the great life-saving opportunity available in Anambra State to treat their heart diseases and stay healthy.
She also called on philanthropic individuals and corporate organisations to contribute to the growth of the center by assisting inacquiringa cardiac catheterisation laboratory to enable it complete its diagnostic capabilities.

•Photo shows doctors performing an open heart surgery.