Heartbeats TZ Tanzania Cardiac Mission

Dr. Evan Zahn - Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles‍

Dr. Salavatore Agati - Cardiothoracic surgeon from Bambino Gesù Ospedale Pediatrico in Italy

The Need

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa with a population of 61 million, 44% of whom are less than 15 years old, making it one of the youngest populations in the world. Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect globally and is the third leading cause of early death in children residing in Tanzania. Although the median age is only 17 years old, life expectancy is 63 years and there’s only .02 physicians per 1000 residents (for comparison the United States has 26/1000).

Program Details

In 2015, Mending Kids deployed the first mission to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Since then, over 120 surgeries have been performed for this mission. This mission provides mentoring and support on complex cases for Dr. Godwin Sharau, the very first Tanzanian pediatric cardiac surgeon in its history, and has allowed him and Dr. Majani to perform hundreds of surgeries without mission support. Pictured: Dr. Godwin Sharau (photo by CNN)

Travel Details

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Progress And Goals

Through the combined efforts of Dr. Zahn and Dr. Agati, over 120 children have received complex cardiac procedures.
With Mending Kids’ commitment to training local medical professionals through hands on training, we are hopeful to see JKCI’s number of cases increase by 100% over the next three years.
Dr. Sharau, who resides in Tanzania, trained with Mending Kids on VSDs, Tetralogy of Fallot, and performed the first Truncus Arteriosus case (a rare heart defect that must be repaired before 9 months of age) in Tanzania.
Since our last trip, surgeons residing in Tanzania, Dr. Sharau and Dr. Majani, have performed 100+ life-saving procedures without mission support inching closer towards self- sustainment.

Your tax-deductible donation supports Dr. Zahn and his medical team's travel for the Heartbeats TZ mission and the purchase of medical supplies for the patients.

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