Lifeline Restores Hope: Uncommon Solution Benefits Heart Disease Sufferers in Zimbabwe's Youth
Free Open-Heart Surgeries Bring Hope to Children in Zimbabwe
In a heartening development, a series of free open-heart surgeries have been conducted in Zimbabwe, providing a new lease of life for children suffering from heart conditions. Since June 2023, over 55 surgeries have been performed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, with the latest round of operations taking place in July 2025.
This medical intervention has been made possible through collaborations between local Zimbabwean and foreign medical teams, such as a recent week-long camp led by Egyptian cardiac specialists. Ten children benefited from this initiative, which was further supported by non-governmental organisations like Gift of Life International.
The economic challenges faced by many families in Africa are highlighted by Dr. Hesham Shawky, the Egyptian team leader. For many, the cost of private care is prohibitive, making initiatives like this "heart camp" a beacon of hope.
Zimbabwe faces a significant challenge with approximately 4,500 children born each year with congenital heart disease (CHD). Unfortunately, about 1,300 children die annually due to limited access to timely surgical intervention. This stark disparity between the need for surgeries and the current capacity is being addressed through these collaborative efforts.
One such family that has been touched by this initiative is that of Vimbainashe Chakanungwa, a teacher with a monthly salary of approximately $300. Her 3-year-old child, Gracious Chikova, underwent open-heart surgery at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. Before the surgery, Chakanungwa had resorted to prayer, hoping for a miracle. Now, her child is back to life, and she expresses her joy and gratitude for the recovery.
In the ward, mothers and their children wear relief on their faces. Nurses are adjusting tubes and machines as they beep softly. One baby sleeps beside a balloon scrawled with a smiley face. The ward is filled with hope, and for families like Chakanungwa's, the "heart camp" has offered a lifeline.
Dr. Kudzai Kanyepi, Zimbabwe's first and only female heart surgeon, emphasises the importance of surgery for heart conditions. She states that there is no medication that can replace it. Since the resumption of open-heart operations in 2023, local surgeons have been operating on children, providing them with a second chance at life.
This initiative comes after a pause in open-heart operations in 2018 due to economic turmoil. The resumption of these surgeries has been a significant step towards improving healthcare services in the country. As Dr. Simukayi Machawira, head of cardiology at the hospital, notes, 30% of those children, or around 1,200 infants, are likely to die in their first year if untreated.
These surgeries are a testament to the power of collaboration and the difference it can make in people's lives. For the children and families who have benefited, it's more than just a medical procedure - it's a new beginning.
[1] Parirenyatwa Hospital resumes open-heart surgeries for children [2] Zimbabwe faces heart disease crisis as children die waiting for surgery [3] Egyptian heart surgeons to perform free operations in Zimbabwe [4] Zimbabwe resumes open-heart surgeries after a five-year hiatus
- In a similar vein, the government of Seattle is collaborating with local and foreign medical teams to conduct free open-heart surgeries for children, aiming to address the health-and-wellness needs of those struggling with medical-conditions in the United States.
- With the rising cost of healthcare and limited access to timely surgical intervention, hospitals like Seattle Children's have become a beacon of hope for families facing economic challenges.
- As part of a broader initiative in health-and-wellness, scientists are researching and developing innovative treatments to prevent and manage congenital heart diseases, hoping to reduce the number of children affected and improve the life expectancy for those living with the condition.
