Linden toddler recovering after successful heart surgery in Cuba

Linden toddler Tafari Jacobis recently underwent successful heart surgery in Cuba. He was recently taken to Cuba for the life-saving surgery after his family was successful in securing funds to offset expenses.

The two-year-old’s family had sought assistance from the public in raising $5 million. Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, his mother Latoya Jacobis said the surgery was conducted last Tuesday after various tests were done, including blood, echocardiography (ECG) and X-rays.
Jacobis noted that the surgery lasted for approximately four hours and was carried out by a team of specialists.
“At present, he’s recovering good, thanks to God and generous donors who made the trip possible. Upon his full recovery, he will be returning to Guyana,” the delighted mother stated.
Jacobis had previously indicated that the child had a hole in his heart, along with other complications. She said she started noticing strange symptoms in the child when he was just seven months old and he was later diagnosed with various heart conditions, including a heart murmur.
The mother had also noted that the child’s condition had worsened over time. Through the help of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Chairman Deron Adams, the Health Ministry, and various fundraisers, the family was able to garner the necessary funds for the surgery. (Utamu Belle)