On August 1, twin babies were delivered via cesarean section at Nundu Deaconess Hospital (NDH). The baby boy suffered respiratory distress due to birth asphyxia, while his sister faced a life-threatening condition – gastroschisis, a congenital defect where the intestines protrude through an opening near the umbilical cord.
Weighing just 1,400 grams (about 3 pounds), the newborn girl had a significant portion of her colon exposed outside her body. In resource-limited settings, gastroschisis is often fatal without immediate surgical intervention. The mother, overwhelmed by the critical state of both infants, was inconsolable.
Dr. ByaMungu Pahari, a general surgeon undergoing a pediatric surgery fellowship, was urgently called to assess the situation. After evaluating the baby, he made the pivotal decision to postpone his scheduled surgeries and prioritize this emergency – believing it was a divine calling to act.
Neonatal surgery in rural hospitals like NDH is fraught with challenges, especially in managing anesthesia for low-birth-weight infants. Mr. Maneno, chief of the anesthesia department, reviewed the case and agreed to proceed. The surgical team quickly mobilized, explained the risks and prognosis to the family, and obtained informed consent.
Despite limited resources, the team demonstrated remarkable coordination and resolve. The two-and-a-half-hour surgery was met with ingenuity and faith at every turn. Dr. ByaMungu drew on his recent pediatric training in India, adapting techniques to suit the hospital’s constraints. Though questions arose – such as how to monitor neonatal blood pressure in future cases – the team remained focused, using available tools to safeguard the baby’s life.
A key asset during the procedure was the hospital’s only anesthesia machine, originally acquired to support maternal and infant surgeries. Its availability was crucial in managing the newborn’s delicate physiology. However, with just one machine serving the entire facility, surgical capacity remains limited. Acquiring a second machine would greatly enhance the hospital’s ability to perform life-saving procedures, especially for vulnerable patients like newborns.
The successful surgery dramatically improved the baby’s chance of survival – a result that would have been nearly impossible without a trained surgical team and essential equipment.
Dr. ByaMungu says, “This was more than a procedure ̶ it was a moment of divine timing.” This case highlights the transformative impact of faith-driven medical services, particularly in remote areas of Africa.
