Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania

Through its Ministry of Health, the Government of Tanzania has taken many initiatives to establish heart surgeries and cardiac treatments in Tanzania. The Government created a strategic plan to build the cardiac unit, and the ministry began a special task force. The task team visited numerous nations where programs were already in place. The most frequent congenital disability in the world is congenital heart disease, the third most common cause of infant mortality in Tanzania. This is why Tanzanian Government is focusing on training more physicians in Tanzania. As a result, the cardiac surgery cost in Tanzania is much lesser than in other countries.

Collaboration with foreign universities teaches Tanzanian staff how to use supplies and medications efficiently and use the latest technologies to maintain top-notch standards. As a result, Tanzanian hospitals today have well-trained and passionate that is inspiring to patients. There were many challenges in Tanzania, but because of the Government’s initiatives and collaboration with top institutes, today, Tanzanian patients are getting top-notch cardiac care. Awareness and knowledge about heart diseases and treatments are spread among the Tanzanians. They are getting treated by well-trained doctors at a low cost.

Cardiac Surgery Cost in Tanzania – Year 2023

Cost of Top Cardiac Procedures in Tanzania

Heart Valve Replacement:

When heart valves become damaged or diseased and no longer function properly, they may require repair or replacement surgery. Valve stenosis (valve stiffening or narrowing) and valve regurgitation (leaky valve) are treated by replacing defective valves with artificial valves. The Heart Valve Replacement cost in Tanzania is $8,950. When the heart pumps, heart valves open to allow blood to flow. They close swiftly between heartbeats to prevent blood from flowing backward. Any disruption in this typical flow pattern makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood where it needs to go.

Open Heart Surgeries:

Traditionally, open heart surgery involves cracking apart the breastbone to gain access to the heart directly. This allowed cardiac doctors to treat heart problems while the patient was connected to a heart-lung machine. The most well-known and feared operation is likely to open heart surgery, yet with the right care, it can be incredibly safe and effective, with outstanding patient results. The cost of Open Heart Surgery in Tanzania is $10,326. 

Minimally Invasive CABG:

The revolutionary procedure, minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), does not require specialized equipment and may be available to all cardiac surgeons. It tries to lessen surgical revascularization’s invasiveness while maintaining its application and durability. The Minimally Invasive CABG price in Tanzania is $18,927.

Heart Transplant:

A damaged or failing human heart is replaced with a healthy human heart from a donor during a heart transplant. A transplant may be suggested if medical interventions for your heart failure aren’t helping. If you have a condition that is causing severe heart failure, you might want to think about having heart transplant surgery. This indicates that your heart isn’t supplying your body with as much blood and oxygen as it should. The Heart Transplant cost in Tanzania is $74,038. 

Pacemaker Implantation:

A pacemaker is a small electronic device inserted beneath the collarbone in the chest to help moderately slow electrical irregularities in the heart. The surgeon inserts it under your skin to regulate arrhythmias or abnormal heartbeats. Additionally, it is used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and fainting spells. The price of Pacemaker Implantation in Tanzania is $12,204.  

Right Heart Catheterization:

A catheter is inserted into the cubital, saphenous, or femoral vein during a right-heart catheterization. Under fluoroscopy, the catheter—which is opaque to X-rays—is inserted into the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery. With the help of this treatment, it can gauge the pressure and oxygen saturation inside the right heart chamber itself and identify any valve problems. The Right Heart Catheterization price in Tanzania is $20,340.

Biventricular Pacemaker Implantation:

Your heart’s right and left ventricles are stimulated by a biventricular pacemaker to contract in unison and pump more efficiently. Utilizing a pacemaker of this type is also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A third wire in the left ventricle of a biventricular pacemaker enables timed, coordinated impulses to be supplied to the right and left ventricles. The size of a biventricular pacemaker is comparable to a pager. It is frequently positioned in the upper chest region, directly below the collarbone, like a typical pacemaker. The Electrophysiology (EP) Lab is where the pacemaker implantation takes place and lasts roughly two hours. The price of Biventricular Pacemaker Implantation in Tanzania is $13,831.

Conditions treated by Cardiac Procedures in Tanzania

• Unstable angina
• Inherited heart conditions
• Heart attack
• Congenital heart conditions
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmia
• High blood pressure
• Valve disease

Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute

The only cardiac institute in Tanzania, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, also draws patients from neighboring nations. Junior doctors rotate through the several specialties there; it is connected to the university and places a big emphasis on teaching.

There is 128 beds total, including 15 mixed pediatric and adult ICU beds, 3 operating rooms, and a pediatric and adult cardiac unit for pre-and post-operative patients. A 50-bed new pediatric ward is currently being built. There is a busy outpatient clinic and a cardiac catheterization lab.

The institute aims to continue the teaching plans to help further strengthen the country’s pediatric and adult cardiac surgery programs. The plan is to lower the total mortality and morbidity of cardiac disorders in the country at all levels of the health system through increasing referral networks, expanding training opportunities for human resources, and performing operations research;

Save a Child’s Heart Mission

24 children were treated by the medical staff of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute during the “Save a Child’s Heart” mission. 27 skilled medical professionals worked as a team to complete this objective. The first surgery of the mission was performed on the third day. A five-year-old patient from Dar es Salaam was diagnosed with a cardiac condition. For a few hours, the Israeli and Tanzanian teams of surgeons, nurses, and technicians collaborated to repair her heart and save her life.

Technologies used for Cardiac Procedures in Tanzania

Tanzanians use the latest technologies in Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery. The following are a few technologies used for cardiac surgery in Tanzania:

• Information Communication and Technology (ICT)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Echocardiography
• 3D printing
• HeartFlow

Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania Reviews

Tanzania has suddenly become one of the most popular Cardiac care destinations. This is because Tanzania now offers traditional and modern medicine the best. As a result, if a patient has a complex procedure of Cardiac surgery, they will not need to travel abroad because Tanzanian hospitals are equipped with first-rate amenities and competent medical experts who can perform effective surgeries. As a result, Cardiac reviews in Tanzania are highly favorable.

Medical Insurance Companies for Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania

Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania is a bit expensive because of the complications, tools, and expertise involved. To reduce the burden of expense, insurance coverage is available in Tanzania. The following are a few insurance companies covering the cost of cardiac surgery in Tanzania:

• Assemble Insurance (T) LTD
• GA INSURANCE TANZANIA LIMITED
• Kangaroo Insurance Brokers Co. Limited
• ARiS Risk & Insurance Solutions Ltd. (ARiS)
• Goose Africa Insurance Services Limited

Success Rate of Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania

Various Cardiac conditions widely impact Tanzania’s population, and Tanzanian hospitals provide the best facilities to treat them while obtaining high success rates. In Tanzania, 80-85% of Cardiac Surgery are successful. In addition, Tanzanian experts have received extensive training from overseas institutions and returned to serve their home country by teaching and raising knowledge about cardiac diseases and their treatments.

Top 4 Cardiac Surgeons in Tanzania

Dr. Mohamed Y. Janabi:

Dr. Mohamed Y. Janabi has more than 30 years of experience. He is currently practicing at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI). His writings have appeared in numerous national and international journals. At the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and MUHAS, he has mentored students pursuing training in cardiology (MSc) and internal medicine residents.

Dr. Peter Kisenge:

Dr. Peter Richard Kisenge is a Consultant Physician and Intervention Cardiologist at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI). He has experience of more than 15 years as a cardiologist.

Dr. Bashir Juma Nyangasa:

Dr. Bashir Juma Nyangasa is a Ph.D. in Cardiovascular surgery from Huazhong University OF Science and Technology, China. The surgeon has more than 25 Years of Working Experience. For the past 14 years, he is working as Consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Dr. Delila Kimambo:

Dr. Delila Kimambo has over 16 years of experience as a cardiologist in Tanzania. She is working as a Non-Intervention Cardiologist at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).

Best Cardiac Hospitals in Tanzania – Year 2023

FAQs on Cardiac Surgery in Tanzania