Doctors from the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) in collaboration with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) have successfully performed heart surgery on children from Burundi, giving them and their families renewed hope.
Prof. Abel Makubi, the BMH chief executive officer, said in a briefing after the surgeries that three children had successfully undergone heart surgery, while two others were still receiving treatment at the hospital.
The procedures are a milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen specialised healthcare services and expand medical cooperation with neighbouring countries, underlining that this achievement demonstrates the ability of Tanzanian health institutions.
They can work together and provide specialised medical services that meet international standards, as the surgeries were conducted through collaboration between BMH, JKCI and medical experts from Burundi, opening a new chapter in sharing knowledge and experience among specialists, he stated.
The partnership would help strengthen local expertise and reduce dependence on seeking specialised treatment elsewhere, “since as Tanzanians, we have the ability to collaborate, build capacity and provide specialised services at the highest level. This is not the end, but the beginning of wider cooperation that will enable more people to access treatment within the country,” he said.
Shadrack Nzigiyimana, parent of one of the children, hailed the services provided by the medical teams, saying the treatment had restored hope within the families.
“As parents, we are very happy. We have many things to say, but above all we congratulate the hospital for the great expertise you have shown. We never expected to receive such advanced services so close to us,” he said.
The family had faced many challenges while searching for treatment before coming to Tanzania, where their confidence has been renewed.
“We struggled a lot, but now we thank Tanzania for the good neighbourly relations between our two countries. We sincerely thank BMH for welcoming us and providing high-quality care,” he stated, urging that the hospital persists in offering guidance on follow-up care to ensure the children fully recover after surgery.
Dr Aimee Jeanne Nzitunga, a leading medic from the Gitega Referral Hospital in Burundi, expressed gratitude for providing access to specialised medical services.
“We are thankful for having a good neighbour like Tanzania. When we heard that Tanzania could perform heart surgery on children, we were very happy because we are brothers and neighbours,” she declared.
The Burundian medical team felt at home due to the hospitality they received from doctors and health workers at BMH and JKCI. “We felt like we were at home. I have learned many things as a doctor, and we thank all those involved in this important work.”
Many families had previously lost hope due to the high costs and challenges of seeking treatment abroad, but the availability of such services had restored optimism.
Dr Godwin Godfrey, the JKCI head of paediatric cardiac surgery, said cooperation between JKCI and BMH had enabled specialists to exchange knowledge and improve their skills in treating children with heart conditions.
“We have learned a lot from BMH about how they work and provide services. We have also gained experience by participating in providing cardiac treatment beyond Tanzania’s borders, including Burundi,” he said.
The demand for heart surgery services remains high, requiring partnerships among health institutions to increase access to specialised care. The success of the surgeries demonstrates Tanzania’s growing capacity to provide advanced medical services, strengthening the country’s position as a regional centre for specialised healthcare, he added.
