By Charles Mkoka
Specialists at the Jakaya Kikwete
Cardiac Institute (JKCI) have received training in a groundbreaking procedure
that allows heart holes to be closed and blocked heart vessels to be unblocked
without the need for open-heart surgery.
This innovative method uses
radiation-based machines and is performed through a small incision, with the
heart's function monitored by an Echocardiogram (ECHO) machine.
Prof. Xiangbin Pan, Director
General of Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, China, who led the training, highlighted
the importance of this development, particularly for heart patients in rural
areas.
Many of these patients travel to urban centers
for surgery, which can be costly due to long hospital stays and travel
expenses. By using this advanced technology, the need for extensive hospital
stays is minimized, significantly reducing overall costs.
“The ability to use this
technology has transformed the way we treat heart patients,” Prof. Pan said.
“We can now provide treatments directly at hospitals or even take mobile units
equipped with operating rooms and ECHO machines to patients in remote areas.”
Dr. Peter Kisenge, Executive
Director of JKCI, expressed his gratitude for the training, noting that it
would save lives and reduce medical costs in Tanzania.
He emphasized the ongoing
collaboration between China and Tanzania, particularly in the health sector,
which has resulted in many benefits.
This partnership includes the
construction of the JKCI building by the Chinese government and the regular
visits of specialized Chinese doctors to offer advanced medical care in
Tanzania.
“These advanced techniques are
not only more efficient but safer, as they do not involve harmful radiation.
They also make healthcare more affordable for patients,” Dr. Kisenge added.
Dr. Theophylly Ludovick, a
pediatric cardiologist at JKCI, who trained for three months at Fuwai Hospital,
praised the technology’s potential to revolutionize heart care.
He plans to apply his newly acquired skills to
provide higher-quality care for his patients.
“I learned how to use the ECHO
machine to close heart holes, a modern technique that protects both patients
and healthcare providers from radiation exposure,” Dr. Ludovick explained.
“It’s a more affordable option compared to traditional radiation-based methods.”
The training was part of a
special heart surgery camp at JKCI, where doctors from both the Institute and
Fuwai Hospital worked together to perform surgeries on children using the small
incision technique.
This collaboration marks a
significant step forward in making heart treatments more accessible and
affordable for all.