A new procedure has been performed at the Bugando Medical Centre and three very young children will have an opportunity to grow up with good health and normal stature. The procedure is the closure of Persistent Ductus Arteriosus. When a baby is born, this duct should close. In some infants, it does not and if it goes untreated, the child can experience heart failure, repeated lung infections and stunted growth. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia and the child’s chest is opened. The faulty vessel is identified and ligated. Professor Mahalu performed all three of these procedures. According to Professor Mahalu, “it is important to do this as soon as possible after the child is born.” Six months is an ideal time. This is one of the “closed heart surgeries” which does not require the equipment needed for open heart surgery. Professor Mahalu had performed this procedure at the Tanzanian Heart Institute. We welcome Professor Mahalu and this new surgery to Bugando Medical Centre. Through his efforts, we are beginning to expand our cardiac services here.