In a remarkable medical feat, Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, successfully completed a complex 15-hour open-heart surgery on a five-year-old boy born with a serious heart defect. The young patient, known only as ‘Master D’, was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital condition that severely disrupted the flow of blood through his heart and put his life at risk.
The intricate surgery took place over three days, from May 19 to 21, involving a team of highly skilled specialists led by Dr. Mudasiru Salami, Consultant Cardiothoracic and Pediatric Surgeon. Speaking at the hospital’s headquarters on Monday, Dr. Salami shared the good news, saying, “The surgery was a huge success, and Master D is steadily recovering. Our team worked tirelessly to repair the defects in his heart, and it’s a testament to their dedication that he’s doing so well.”
The operation addressed multiple defects, including a hole between the lower chambers of the heart, a narrowed pulmonary artery, and thickened heart muscle. The multidisciplinary team included cardiac surgeons, anesthetists, intensivists, and perfusionists, all working in unison to give Master D a second chance at life.
Hospital CEO Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey praised the team’s commitment to delivering world-class care. “We are proud of our team’s effort and dedication. This success highlights our mission to provide exceptional medical services and improve the lives of our patients.”
The boy’s parents, Mr. Ademola and Mrs. Olutope Adetona, expressed overwhelming gratitude. “We are so thankful to God and the medical team for saving our son’s life. The doctors and nurses have been nothing short of angels in white coats,” Mrs. Adetona said, holding back tears.
Master D’s recovery is ongoing, and the hospital remains hopeful about his future health.
Meanwhile, on the national health front, the federal government is gearing up to launch three new cancer centres across Nigeria. Announced by Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate, these centres aim to serve thousands of oncology patients and train 500 clinicians within three years. The new facilities, located in Katsina, Nsukka, and Benin, will be inaugurated on May 29 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking the largest investment in cancer care in Nigeria’s history.
As part of efforts to ease treatment costs, the National Health Insurance Authority is introducing subsidies for eligible patients undergoing radiotherapy, reinforcing the government’s commitment to expanding affordable healthcare under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
