Harriet Apolot, a primary school teacher, needs urgent heart surgery

By Joseph Ssemutooke

HER eyes are blood-shot with a paleness that tells of inward suffering, yet they still exude an infinite passion for life. Her life hangs by the thread. The 37-year-old primary school teacher, Harriet Apolot, needs urgent heart surgery.

Apolot, a teacher at Kidetok Primary school in Soroti district, has a hole in her heart with moderate pulmonary hypertension.

According to documents from the Uganda Heart Institute, Apolot’s condition is medically described as atrial septal defect.

To stay alive, she requires an operation, where a device is inserted into the opening to plug it. Doctors have already told her time is running out and her condition is deteriorating very fast.

Experts at the Uganda Heart Institute say the procedure to correct Apolot’s condition is a complex one that cannot be done in Uganda. The institute has recommended that Apolot travels to India for the operation. The operation costs sh25m — inclusive of medical, transport and subsistence costs for her and a nurse.

Justine Eriongu, her husband, who is a lower level civil servant has spent to the last coin sustaining her.
With his meagre income, he buys drugs and sustains their four children.

In fact, they cannot afford the six types of drugs Apolot is supposed to take. She only takes three types because it is what they can afford. “I appeal to the public to fundraise for my surgery,’ she says.

The Heart Institute has opened for her an account in Stanbic Bank where well-wishers can deposit money. The account, 0140005985901 is in the name of Uganda Heart Institute (Harriet Apolot), Wandegeya Branch.

Apolot was diagnosed with the heart problem four years ago. After giving birth to her fourth child, she suddenly developed intense body weakness, hardship in breathing and body tremors. After an intensive medical check-up, doctors found out she had a heart problem.

The problem has gravely affected her teaching. She collapses before students in class. Doctors have advised her to quit work — but how can she when she needs the money to earn a living?

The thought of her children drives her to tears. She is worried about how they will survive.