The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
For Anastasia Abanja, 41, hospital wards had been her second home as she battled a heart disease. She first went to hospital in 1982, aged seven. The heart rate had gone up, she had fever and would constantly get tired walking around the village.
Ms Abanja visited a local hospital in Kisumu in 1982 but after her condition worsened she was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in 1986.
“I was referred to a heart specialist at KNH and put on penicillin shots every month after being diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease (RHD),” she tells The Standard on Sunday.
She underwent an operation in 1987 to replace a heart valve and was put on three types of drugs after the surgery. Abanja was well until she had her son Kelly Prince Abanja in 2007.
“This was one of my happiest days. My son filled my world with joy and I concentrated all my efforts on him,” she says.
Her joy was however short-lived when she started experiencing the same symptoms that hit her when she was seven. This was in 2010.
She thought the valve had developed complications since the doctors had told her it could be replaced after about 20 years in case of leakage.
Abanja went back to KNH but after checkup it was discovered that another valve had a problem.
“The first surgery was free, but this time I had to pay Sh200,000 which I never had,” she said. The mother of one appealed to friends and family for financial support but they couldn’t raise enough funds to cover the medical costs.
In 2012 her condition worsened and the liver developed complications which led the stomach to swell.
Abanja was again admitted at KNH for treatment and put on four types of medication, which were expensive.
She only went for treatment when she had the money to pay which worsened the condition. Abanja was forced to appeal for help after she had lost a lot of weight and was in pain.
She later got support from Safaricom Foundation, Jamia Mosque, Chandaria Foundation, friends and family in 2013 and was admitted to hospital in April last year.
However, the surgery on the valve had to be suspended to treat the liver complication and was successfully operated on in May and stayed in the ICU for eight days for observation.
Abanja is now living a healthy life, but still has to take six types of medication and go for regular checkups. She participated in last year’s World Heart Day in Nairobi to support the initiative.
The day was marked by a walk and heart screening for participants, mostly women and children with emphasis on promoting a heart-healthy planet for everyone.
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that affects connective tissues of the body, especially those of the heart, joints, brain or skin.
It usually starts as a sore throat and is common among children aged between five and 15.
The global burden of rheumatic fever currently falls disproportionately on children living in the developing world, especially where poverty is widespread.
People who have had a previous attack of rheumatic fever are at high risk of recurrent infection, which worsens the damage to the heart. This year’s World Heart Day will be celebrated on Sunday at Nairobi Railway Club under the theme: “Healthy Heart Choices for Everyone Everywhere.”
Kenya Cardiac Society chairperson Loice Mutai said the event raises awareness about the important role of the heart, keeping in mind that heart diseases are common, harmful and treatable.
join