Cardiac Surgery Development in Cameroon: Unexpected Challenges From a Socio-Political Crisis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a high burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with a severe deficit of specialized cardio-surgical units.
• Establishing and sustaining cardio-surgical services in SSA is hindered by financial constraints, lack of local expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-political instability.
• The Cardiac Centre of Shisong (CCS) in Cameroon, the country's sole cardio-surgical institution, operates in a region affected by socio-political crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of the ongoing socio-political crisis on the Cardiac Centre of Shisong (CCS) over the past three years.
• To assess the crisis's effects on clinical activities, staff perspectives, and the long-term sustainability of cardio-surgical services at CCS.

Main Methods:

• A review of the impact of a socio-political crisis on a specialized cardiac center.
• Analysis focused on clinical activities, staff viewpoints, and project sustainability.
• Case study of the Cardiac Centre of Shisong (CCS) in Cameroon's North West Anglophone region.

Main Results:

• The socio-political crisis has significantly impacted the CCS's operations, necessitating a revision of its cardio-surgical project.
• Challenges include disruptions to clinical activities and potential threats to long-term sustainability.
• Staff perspectives are crucial in understanding the crisis's effects and adapting the project.

Conclusions:

• Socio-political instability poses a substantial threat to the viability of specialized healthcare institutions like the CCS in SSA.
• Adapting cardio-surgical projects to unpredictable external factors is essential for long-term sustainability.
• Further research is needed to develop resilient healthcare models in crisis-prone regions.