Why rising burden of heart diseases in Tanzania demands immediate action

Dar esSalaam. The Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) faces an overwhelming influx of patients, treating over 450 individuals daily and admitting more than 150 every month.

This surge underscores the critical need for heightened awareness and preventive action to curb the escalating cases of cardiovascular disease, a pressing health challenge for Tanzania’s healthcare system.

With limited capacity, JKCI has reached a point where overflow patients are referred to Dar Group Hospital, which has dedicated 100 additional beds to support cardiac care.

The strain on resources has become more acute, pushing JKCI to expand its community outreach initiatives aimed at educating the public on heart health.

Speaking to The Citizen, An Interventional Cardiologist at JKCI, Dr Khuzeima Khanbhai, explains the importance of these efforts.

“We have visited 12 regions so far to identify heart patients, assess their condition, and for severe cases, provide referrals to JKCI for advanced care. Our goal is to reach the entire country, and we will get there,” Dr Khanbhai notes.

The outreach programme, as Dr Khuzeima emphasises, is crucial not only for raising awareness but also for helping individuals understand the steps they can take to avoid cardiovascular diseases.

He notes that preventive measures, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, are essential for heart health but are often overlooked due to a lack of public awareness.

In a country with over 60 million people, Dr Khuzeima stresses the importance of investing in public education on lifestyle changes, as cardiovascular care remains both costly and limited in Tanzania.

Following the World Health Organization’s guidelines, Dr Khuzeima recommends at least 45 minutes of walking or similar exercise each day to maintain heart health.

The institute has also initiated free heart screening camps across Dar es Salaam, providing access to heart check-ups and valuable information on dietary habits and other lifestyle factors that contribute to cardiovascular health.

One such camp, held at JKCI’s Kawe clinic in late October, attracted numerous participants who received valuable information on heart health.

Another camp is scheduled for November 23-24 in partnership with EM Hospital at Mjimwema Kibaoni in Kigamboni.

One of the attendees at the Kawe clinic, Juma Tarimo, expressed gratitude for the early diagnosis of his heart condition.

He highlighted the challenges of accessing timely care, especially in rural areas, and emphasized the importance of early intervention.