BMH, JKCI save Burundian children in landmark heart surgery

DODOMA: BENJAMIN Mkapa Hospital (BMH), in collaboration with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), has successfully performed life-saving heart surgery on three children from Burundi in a landmark achievement that reinforces Tanzania’s growing status as a regional hub for specialised healthcare and medical tourism.

The operations, the first performed by BMH on paediatric patients referred from another country, followed a medical outreach mission conducted by the hospital in Burundi last year and underscore Tanzania’s expanding capacity to provide advanced specialised treatment across East Africa.

The children underwent complex operations to correct congenital heart defects by closing holes in their hearts, restoring normal heart function.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Dodoma, BMH Executive Director, Prof Abel Makubi, described the successful surgeries as a major milestone for the hospital and Tanzania’s medical tourism programme.

“While we have previously conducted heart surgeries, this is the first time we have operated on children referred from outside Tanzania. It is a significant milestone for Benjamin Mkapa Hospital and for the country’s medical tourism programme,” he said.

Prof Makubi said five children were referred from Burundi, three of whom successfully underwent corrective heart surgery and are recovering well. The remaining two were not operated on after medical assessments showed they had advanced complications that made surgery medically unsuitable. He said they will continue receiving specialised non-surgical treatment.

“The three children are recovering well. Some are already walking around the ward. We thank God for the successful outcome and continue to pray for their full recovery,” he said.

He said the achievement reflects growing collaboration among Tanzania’s specialised health institutions, with cardiac specialists from BMH and JKCI combining their expertise to deliver world-class healthcare using local expertise.

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“The success of this programme demonstrates that Tanzanian specialists have the capacity to provide highly specialised healthcare. We do not always have to depend on experts from abroad,” he said.

Prof Makubi attributed the achievement to sustained government investment in specialised healthcare under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying the Sixth Phase Government has transformed Tanzania into an emerging destination for medical tourism.

He also commended Tanzania’s Embassy in Burundi for facilitating the referral of the children, saying the initiative demonstrates the growing role of health diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.

Medical Tourism Coordinator in the Ministry of Health, Dr Asha Mahita, said the successful treatment is a practical demonstration of Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which seeks to position the country as Africa’s leading medical tourism destination.

“This is a practical demonstration of medical tourism. We are pleased to see our national referral hospitals working together to provide highly specialised healthcare services to patients from neighbouring countries,” she said.

Dr Mahita said expanding cross-border specialised healthcare would not only strengthen regional cooperation but also increase Tanzania’s foreign exchange earnings through medical tourism.

A Burundian medical doctor from Gitega Regional Hospital, Dr Aimée Jeanne Nzitunga, praised Tanzania’s specialised cardiac services, saying many Burundian families had previously sought treatment in countries such as India.

“When we learnt that Tanzania had the capacity to perform heart surgery for children, we were very happy because Tanzania and Burundi are sister nations. Coming here, we have truly felt at home,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mr Chadrack Nzigiyamana thanked the Government of Tanzania and the medical teams for giving their children a second chance at life.

“We sincerely thank Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, the doctors and everyone who contributed to saving our children’s lives. We will encourage other families to seek treatment in Tanzania because we have witnessed outstanding medical care, professionalism and genuine compassion,” he said.

BMH cardiac surgeon, Dr Ahmed Toure, said the operations involved correcting congenital heart defects by closing holes in the heart to restore normal blood circulation.

He explained that such conditions are present at birth and require timely surgical intervention to prevent irreversible damage to the heart and lungs.

Meanwhile, JKCI paediatric cardiac surgeon, Dr Godfrey Sharau, said the two children who were not operated on suffered from a complex congenital condition known as Truncus Arteriosus, whose delayed diagnosis had already caused irreversible damage to their lungs.

He said children with the condition should ideally undergo surgery before six months of age to maximise their chances of survival and long-term recovery.

Dr Sharau said partnerships between specialised health institutions are strengthening local expertise through knowledge sharing while expanding access to advanced healthcare services across the region.

“Partnerships between specialised health institutions strengthen local expertise through knowledge sharing while enabling more patients, especially those who cannot afford treatment abroad, to access quality specialised healthcare closer to home,” he said.