News / National
Zimbabwe successfully performs open-heart surgeries on 10 children
16 Nov 2024 at 18:21hrs | Views
In a milestone for Zimbabwe's healthcare sector, 10 children with congenital heart conditions underwent successful open-heart surgeries during a week-long medical camp at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.
The initiative, addressing a critical medical need, saw collaboration between Egyptian and local cardiac specialists, supported by organizations including Gift of Life International, Rotarians Harare Central, the National Oil and Infrastructure Company (NOIC), Avenues Clinic, Simbisa Brands, and other partners.
Each year, around 4,000 children in Zimbabwe are born with congenital heart defects requiring surgery, while hundreds of adults with rheumatic heart disease remain on waiting lists. Accessing treatment abroad is financially prohibitive, often costing up to US$15,000.
A Step Toward Sustainability
Dr. Hisham Shawky, an open-heart surgeon involved in the program, emphasized that the surgeries were the beginning of a broader effort to establish a sustainable cardiac care program.
"We have done 10 cases; some were simple and straightforward, and others were really tough, but all of them went well," Shawky told journalists.
"We aim to make this a sustainable program. We are already planning for the next visit, potentially around April, May, or July, depending on funding. This is not a one-time initiative."
Grateful Families Share Their Relief
Parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the life-saving surgeries. Taflos Madondo from Mutare, whose two-year-old daughter underwent the procedure, shared his relief.
"We didn't know how we would afford treatment abroad. My daughter, who was struggling to breathe and couldn't walk, is expected to recover fully. We are incredibly grateful," he said.
Similarly, Maud Muvanga, whose daughter battled heart disease for six years, described the operation as a life-changing moment for her family.
"I had lost hope, but these doctors have restored it. I am so happy and thankful for what they have done," Muvanga said.
Tackling a Pressing Health Challenge
Zimbabwe faces a significant backlog of patients needing cardiac surgery. Programs like this provide a lifeline for families who cannot afford overseas treatment, offering renewed hope to many.
The success of the camp underscores the potential for developing a robust, locally-driven healthcare system capable of addressing complex medical conditions. With ongoing support and funding, such initiatives could significantly improve cardiac care access in Zimbabwe, saving countless lives.
The initiative, addressing a critical medical need, saw collaboration between Egyptian and local cardiac specialists, supported by organizations including Gift of Life International, Rotarians Harare Central, the National Oil and Infrastructure Company (NOIC), Avenues Clinic, Simbisa Brands, and other partners.
Each year, around 4,000 children in Zimbabwe are born with congenital heart defects requiring surgery, while hundreds of adults with rheumatic heart disease remain on waiting lists. Accessing treatment abroad is financially prohibitive, often costing up to US$15,000.
A Step Toward Sustainability
Dr. Hisham Shawky, an open-heart surgeon involved in the program, emphasized that the surgeries were the beginning of a broader effort to establish a sustainable cardiac care program.
"We have done 10 cases; some were simple and straightforward, and others were really tough, but all of them went well," Shawky told journalists.
"We aim to make this a sustainable program. We are already planning for the next visit, potentially around April, May, or July, depending on funding. This is not a one-time initiative."
Parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the life-saving surgeries. Taflos Madondo from Mutare, whose two-year-old daughter underwent the procedure, shared his relief.
"We didn't know how we would afford treatment abroad. My daughter, who was struggling to breathe and couldn't walk, is expected to recover fully. We are incredibly grateful," he said.
Similarly, Maud Muvanga, whose daughter battled heart disease for six years, described the operation as a life-changing moment for her family.
"I had lost hope, but these doctors have restored it. I am so happy and thankful for what they have done," Muvanga said.
Tackling a Pressing Health Challenge
Zimbabwe faces a significant backlog of patients needing cardiac surgery. Programs like this provide a lifeline for families who cannot afford overseas treatment, offering renewed hope to many.
The success of the camp underscores the potential for developing a robust, locally-driven healthcare system capable of addressing complex medical conditions. With ongoing support and funding, such initiatives could significantly improve cardiac care access in Zimbabwe, saving countless lives.
Source - NewZimbabwe
