A Consultant Paediatrician and Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Prof. Fortune A. Ujunwa, has raised concerns over what he described as significant gaps in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood heart disease in Nigeria, warning that many children continue to die from largely treatable conditions due to late detection, poor access to healthcare and the high cost of treatment.
Fortune made the remarks while speaking on Beyond the Headlines, a programme aired on Freedom Square TV and hosted by Dr. Uchenna Cyril Anioke. The discussion focused on the theme, *”Heart Disease in Children: Are We Doing Enough?”*
According to the paediatric cardiologist, one of the misconceptions among many Nigerians is the belief that heart disease affects only adults. He explained that children are also vulnerable to various forms of heart disease, including congenital heart disease, which is present at birth, and rheumatic heart disease, which may develop later as a result of infections and environmental factors.
He noted that congenital heart disease often involves structural abnormalities such as holes in the heart, while some children may also develop hypertension at an early age.
The professor explained that certain maternal health conditions and medications taken during pregnancy can increase the risk of heart defects in children, underscoring the need for proper pregnancy planning and antenatal care.
“If a mother has diabetes during pregnancy, it can contribute to heart disease in a child. Some medications taken during pregnancy can also affect the baby’s heart development. That is why pregnancy planning is very important,” he said.
Fortune disclosed that thousands of children die annually from heart-related conditions in developing countries, largely because of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to specialised treatment.
He stressed that unlike some childhood illnesses, heart disease does not disappear without medical intervention.
“Heart disease cannot be outgrown without treatment. Some children born with severe defects may not survive beyond a week if they do not receive the necessary medical care,” he stated.
The expert identified poor weight gain, bluish discoloration of the tongue and fingers, delayed growth, abnormal heartbeat, failure to cry at birth and Down syndrome as some of the warning signs that should prompt immediate medical attention.
He expressed concern that many parents seek help only after complications have progressed to heart failure.
“Most of the children we see are brought to the hospital when the condition has become very severe. Parents should seek medical attention immediately they notice any unusual signs,” he advised.
On treatment, Fortune said some childhood heart conditions can be permanently corrected through surgery if detected early, while others require lifelong medical management.
However, he lamented the financial burden faced by affected families, revealing that the cheapest cardiac surgery is 6 million naira, though it is usually charged in dollars.
“When a family spends more than 10 percent of its income on healthcare, it becomes catastrophic and can push people into poverty. This is why health insurance is critical,” he said.
The professor argued that the high cost of treatment, coupled with inadequate health insurance coverage and a shortage of specialised cardiac centres, remains a major obstacle to improving outcomes for children living with heart disease.
He further called on government at all levels to strengthen policies on non-communicable diseases, invest in cardiac healthcare infrastructure, expand health insurance coverage and train more specialists in the field.
According to him, Nigeria has only a handful of cardiac centres compared to many other African countries, making access to treatment difficult for thousands of patients.
Fortune specifically urged governments in the South-East to establish a regional cardiac centre capable of carrying out routine open-heart surgeries.
“There is an urgent need for a regional cardiac centre in the South-East because there is currently no facility in the region where open-heart surgery can be routinely performed,” he said.
Beyond treatment, the professor emphasized prevention through vaccination, healthy nutrition and regular health screening. He advised parents to encourage physical activity, reduce children’s consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks, and ensure routine medical check-ups.
He also recommended blood pressure screening for children from the age of three, stressing that early diagnosis remains the most effective way to prevent severe complications.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by healthcare professionals, Fortune maintained that much more needs to be done to improve awareness, strengthen healthcare infrastructure and make treatment affordable for families.
He urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s health and seek professional medical evaluation whenever unusual symptoms are noticed.
“Parents should not ignore symptoms. Once a child is sick, take the child to a qualified physician for proper examination and diagnosis. Early detection can save lives,” he said.