Chinese innovation mending hearts in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM — Tears of joy flowed as Husna Shabaan Kingwande learned that her 3-year-old son Ikram's heart surgery had been a success.

The procedure at the Chinese-built Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam marked a significant step in introducing advanced Chinese medical technology to Tanzania.

Ikram was one of five children aged 3 to 7 who underwent cardiovascular surgeries using the PAN-Procedure, a minimally invasive technique pioneered by Pan Xiangbin of Fuwai Hospital in Beijing.

This revolutionary procedure, which relies on ultrasound imaging, treats cardiovascular diseases through peripheral blood vessels without requiring open-heart surgery or radiation exposure.

The surgeries were conducted by a team of five Chinese medical experts, six Tanzanian specialists from the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, and one member of the 27th Chinese medical team stationed at the institute.

For Kingwande, a native of Tanzania's coastal region, her son's successful operation means a brighter future for the boy who was diagnosed nine months ago. "I wholeheartedly thank the Chinese doctors and their Tanzanian counterparts for giving my son a new lease of life," she said, tears streaming down her face.

Her gratitude was echoed by Ajili Anthony Msunza, a father of two from the Mbeya region, whose 5-year-old daughter Noreen was among the young patients. "This new technology has rekindled hope for heart patients in Tanzania," he said.

Violet Samuel Mkonwa, 40, from Shinyanga, northern Tanzania, expressed relief that her 5-year-old son Emmanuel can now look forward to attending school.

During a training session at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Pan said, "This procedure is not only safer and more effective but also makes cardiac intervention accessible in community clinics."

Peter Kisenge, executive director of the institute, highlighted its longstanding partnership with China, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with Fuwai Hospital.

The agreement includes screening and treating children with congenital heart diseases and advanced training for institute employees. More than 1,000 children have since been screened.

Kisenge said the new technology could boost the institute's capacity, increasing the number of annual procedures from 783 to more than 2,000.

"This innovation not only addresses cardiovascular diseases but also strengthens the bond between China and Tanzania," he said.

Since its establishment in 2013, with support from the Chinese government, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute has become the most advanced cardiovascular treatment center in East Africa.

Xinhua