Ms Elder Adoch 22 is getting weaker and weaker by the day, having developed a complication on the left side of her heart.

When it was diagnosed, the doctors told her that one of the heart valves had a problem which required an operation if it were to be corrected.

Adoch a professional nursery teacher and a resident of Lukung Parish in Pece Division in Gulu Municipality says that, she started experiencing pain last year and it was until the diagnosis was done at Lacor hospital, that it was established that one of her heart valves had a problem. 

“I can no longer teach, I feel tired all the time, walking is also a problem to me. But above all I need to be operated on at a tune of shs40million which I cannot raise on my own,” she told Acholi Times.

A report from the Uganda Heart Institute early this year signed by Dr Elias Sebatta indicates that Adoch has thickened Aortic and Mitral valves.

Valvular heart disease occurs when your heart valves do not work correctly which can be caused by valvular stenosis.

At this stage, the tissues forming the valve leaflets become stiffer, narrowing the valve opening and reducing the amount of blood that can flow through it. The valve becomes so narrow (stenotic) which means that heart function is reduced, and the rest of the body may not receive adequate blood flow. 

Valvular insufficiency (or regurgitation, incompetence, "leaky valve"), can also occur when the leaflets do not close completely, letting blood leak backwards across the valve. This backward flow is referred to as “regurgitate flow Mitral Valve Prolapse” (MVP).

Mitral Valve Prolapse is a type of myxomatous valve disease. MVP causes the leaflets of the mitral valve to flop back into the leftatrium during the heart's contraction. 

MVP also causes the tissues of the valve to become abnormal and stretchy, causing the valve to leak.

MVP occurs in about 1 to 2 percent of the population and equally in men and women.  Only 1 in 10 patients with MVP eventually require surgery. If the prolapse becomes severe or is associated with torn chordae or flail (floppy, lacking support) leaflets, the leak may be greater, and surgery may be needed.

Well wishers who may be able to support Adoch raise money for her operation; can contact her on 0777368404 or 07189217182.