JKCI signs MoU with SA firms to test athletes

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Physiocare Tanzania and Enovis of South Africa to provide cardiac testing and treatment services to athletes through the Sports Cardiology program.

In addition, JKCI has also received assistance from the companies to provide physiotherapy services to athletes worth 24m/-.

Speaking immediately after signing the agreement in Dar es Salaam, today, September 10, 2025,  the Acting Managing Director of JKCI, Dr Naizihijwa Majani, said the signing of the agreement will help athletes get better cardiac testing and treatment services.

“I am very grateful for the support you have given us, the existence of these modern physiotherapy devices that use electricity will help athletes who will experience heart problems after surgery to continue with physiotherapy treatment.

“JKCI through our partners such as the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) ensures the health of athletes is safe by conducting examinations before entering various competitions and thus being able to detect heart problems in athletes early before they suffer harm”, said Dr Naizihijwa.

For his part, the Managing Director of Physiocare Tanzania, Remla Shirima said they have collaborated with the South African company Enovis in signing a cooperation agreement with JKCI to identify people involved in sports and exercise.

“We appreciate what the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) is doing for athletes, and by providing these physiotherapy devices, it will undoubtedly improve and help rehabilitation services to be better and more modern”, said Ms Shirima.

Speaking about the collaboration, the Director The CEO of South African company Enovis, Pieter Verwey, said they appreciate what the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute is doing to improve the health of athletes by screening them before they get sick. He believes that these modern technology devices will help improve and improve heart treatment services in the country.

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In retrospect, the coordinator of Sports Cardiology from JKCI Dar Group Hospital, a cardiologist, Eva Wakuganda, said the signing of the agreement is important due to the risk that athletes face of sudden collapse and loss of life while training or during competitions due to changes that may occur in their hearts.

“Some athletes have been experiencing congenital heart problems or heart problems that have never been known, so this step is very important in improving the health of athletes”, said Dr Wakuganda.