The Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) continues to lead East Africa in advanced heart care, performing more than 3,000 minimally invasive heart surgeries each year.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on April 9, 2026, JKCI Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Peter Kisenge, said the institute’s achievements are the result of significant government investment, skilled medical staff, modern equipment, and state-of-the-art facilities.
“Since its establishment in 2015, JKCI has expanded access to specialized cardiac care in Tanzania, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad,” Dr. Kisenge said.
He noted that heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, claiming about 17.9 million lives annually, with 75 percent of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Tanzania is among a few African countries with dedicated heart hospitals. JKCI performs over 3,000 minimally invasive procedures and more than 800 open-heart surgeries annually, including complex interventions such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and pediatric surgeries like Ozaki and Truncus operations.
Dr. Kisenge said these services have made Tanzania a medical tourism hub, attracting patients from across Africa.
JKCI has also established six satellite clinics in Tazara (Temeke), Kawe, Oysterbay, Kariakoo, Chato, and Arusha, increasing daily patient visits from 400 in 2022 to over 1,100 in 2025.
The institute has expanded free pediatric surgeries through government and partner support, reaching hundreds of children.
Advanced technology, including the DOZEE patient monitoring system and online appointment platform, has reduced waiting times and improved service delivery.
JKCI is also preparing to launch heart transplant services by 2030. Investment in modern laboratories using artificial intelligence and robotics has cut test result turnaround times from three hours to just one hour.
Dr. Kisenge added that JKCI hosts the international CardioTan conference, bringing together specialists from over 40 countries to share modern cardiac care practices. Mobile outreach services have reached more than 35,000 Tanzanians nationwide.
In 2025 alone, JKCI treated 252,915 patients, with 2,710 undergoing surgery, including 836 open-heart procedures.
