Making cardiac surgery feasible in African countries: Experience from Namibia, Uganda, and Zambia.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Jessica Forcillocontributors from Namibia, Zambia, and Uganda

Abstract

Few African countries have the resources to provide optimal cardiac surgery care. We explored needs at cardiac surgery centers in Namibia, Zambia, and Uganda. Our objectives were (1) to determine the key variables to be included in a cardiac surgery needs assessment tool and (2) to highlight the current initiatives, challenges and opportunities, and future goals for cardiac surgery in these 3 countries. We conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders in each country as well as surveys of surgical facilities. We synthesized our findings using a health systems conceptual framework. Each program's current capacity was compared with a standardized definition of "adequate" surgical capacity. On the basis of these findings, we developed a formal needs assessment questionnaire for use in resource-constrained countries. Although each of these countries has adequate facilities and surgical expertise, they still lack key support staff and material resources. Training and mentorship programs are being built, and the sites participate in cardiovascular research. Yet a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach-including palliative care and rehabilitation-is lacking, and patients in remote areas are not being served. These observations al...Continue Reading

References

Dec 7, 2002·European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery·Marko Ivan Turina
Feb 23, 2012·The Pan African Medical Journal·Frank EdwinKofi Baffoe-Gyan
Apr 24, 2012·American Heart Journal·Ganesan KarthikeyanBongani M Mayosi
Jun 24, 2014·The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon·Charles YankahRalph Bolman
Sep 1, 2015·The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·Hanna A JensenVinod H Thourani
Jan 28, 2016·Cardiovascular Journal of Africa·David WatkinsBongani M Mayosi
Mar 21, 2016·Global Heart·Daniel EngelmanAndrew C Steer
Oct 30, 2016·Lancet·Karen Sliwa
Sep 6, 2018·South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde·P ZillaD Williams

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Citations

Dec 1, 2019·Current Cardiology Reports·Liesl ZühlkeChristopher Hugo-Hamman
Oct 13, 2020·Current Opinion in Cardiology·Annette K AnsongFrank Edwin
Nov 1, 2019·Journal of Global Health Reports·Sugy ChoiWoong-Han Kim
Aug 11, 2020·The Annals of Thoracic Surgery·Dominique VervoortJacques Kpodonu
Sep 28, 2021·The Canadian Journal of Cardiology·Blanche CupidoKaren Sliwa
Mar 13, 2019·The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·Victor A Ferraris, A Thomas Pezzella
Mar 19, 2019·The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·Vijay S Patel, Richard Lee

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