By Kudakwashe Pembere
Ten children underwent successful open-heart surgeries at a medical camp held at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. The operations, conducted by a team of specialist cardiothoracic surgeons from Parirenyatwa and Egypt, began on Monday.
Speaking to journalists after the surgeries, Parirenyatwa specialist cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Simukayi Machawira expressed optimism about the children’s recovery.
The operation was successful, and the children are breathing well. They can do most basic functions. We are expectant that most will be discharged next week,” said Dr. Machawira.
Dr. Machawira outlined their goal to perform 150 open-heart surgeries on children annually.
“As the Parirenyatwa team, we aim to conduct more open-heart surgeries on children. With adequate support, we plan to carry out three operations per week, aligning with global standards,” he added.
The initiative received significant support from both the government and private sector partners, including Avenues Clinic, Simbisa Brands, and the Rotary Club of Harare Central.
“They provided us with a grant to launch the project on June 22, 2023. The National Oil and Infrastructure Company has also been very supportive, supplying most of our consumables.
“Avenues Clinic has contributed personnel and material support, while Simbisa and other quiet donors have also played a part. We are especially grateful to the Rotary Club, Harare Central, which facilitated this project through Gift of Life International,” said Dr. Machawira.
Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms. Salwa Mowafi, reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Zimbabwe, particularly in healthcare.
“We are proud to host a delegation led by Dr. Hesham Shawky, a renowned surgeon in Egypt. This initiative is a testament to African solutions for African problems, reflecting our President’s commitment to supporting sister countries like Zimbabwe,” said Ambassador Mowafi.
Dr. Hesham Shawky, the lead surgeon from Cairo University, emphasized the collaborative learning between the Egyptian and local teams.
“This is just the beginning. While full training has not yet been achieved, this marks a strong start. We plan to visit again next year, around July or August, to build Zimbabwe’s independence in performing these surgeries,” he said.
Rotary Foundation and International Understanding Chair, Tember Banda, highlighted plans to enhance local expertise by sending Zimbabwean doctors to Egypt for specialized training.
“We hope to establish a program for continuous support and medical camps. Additionally, we aim to send local heart specialists abroad for internships lasting up to six weeks,” said Banda.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward improving pediatric cardiac care in Zimbabwe.
