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Delivering pediatric cardiac care in sub-Saharan Africa: a model for the developing countries
Annette K Ansong1, Nana-Akyaa Yao2,3,4, Francis Fynn-Thompson5
1Inova Children's Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA.
Insights
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a growing need for pediatric cardiac care due to a rising child population. Building sustainable centers requires early diagnosis, trained professionals, funding, and political will.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Background:
- Africa's child population is projected to reach 40% by 2050, increasing the incidence of pediatric noncommunicable diseases like heart conditions.
- Sub-Saharan Africa currently has a critical deficit in pediatric cardiac care, with limited or nonexistent surgical services in many nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify essential components for establishing a sustainable pediatric cardiac care center model in sub-Saharan Africa.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on capacity-building for pediatric cardiac care in sub-Saharan Africa.
Main Results:
- Establishing successful pediatric cardiac programs necessitates addressing key factors: early diagnosis of heart disease, developing human resources, securing financing for cardiac care, and ensuring political commitment.
Conclusions:
- A burgeoning pediatric population in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates urgent development of sustainable, patient-centered cardiac centers.
- Essential elements for these centers include early diagnosis, enhanced human resources, dedicated financing, and strong political commitment.
Purpose Of Review:
It is projected that by 2050, around 40% of all births, and about 40% of all children, will be in Africa, up from about 10% in 1950. Consequently, this trend will cause an increase in noncommunicable diseases in children, such as congenital and rheumatic heart diseases. The current state of pediatric cardiac care in sub-Saharan Africa is dire with some countries without cardiac surgical services at all. The purpose of this review is to highlight those components needed to build a sustainable model for a pediatric cardiac care center in sub-Saharan Africa.
Recent Findings:
Review of the literature reveals that capacity-building for pediatric cardiac care in sub-Saharan Africa can be a challenging entity. Several factors must come into play to lay the foundation for a successful cardiac program. Key among them are early diagnosis of heart disease, human resources, financing cardiac care, and political commitment.
Summary:
The burgeoning pediatric population in sub-Saharan African lends itself to an increase in the incidence of pediatric heart disease. The need for sustainable, patient-centered cardiac centers is pressing. Establishing such pediatric cardiac care models will require the essential components of early diagnosis, increasing human resources, financing cardiac care, and political commitment. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/HCO/A59.
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