JKCI partners with EAHA to offer heart screening for athletes

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has signed an agreement with the Egyptian African Heart Association (EAHA) to offer advanced heart screening services for athletes in Tanzania.

This makes Tanzania the second country in Africa, after Egypt, to provide specialised services aimed at protecting athletes from sudden cardiac issues. The initiative follows a series of tragic incidents where athletes collapsed and died on the field due to undiagnosed heart conditions.

Notable cases include Senegalese footballer Khalilou Fadiga and Tanzanian player Ismail Mrisho, who died in 2016 after collapsing during a U-20 match.

At the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, JKCI’s Sports Cardiologist Coordinator, Dr Eva Wakuganda, emphasised the importance of the new programme, which will serve over 300 million people in Tanzania and surrounding countries.

“This initiative will reach more than 67 million people in Tanzania, along with those in neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, making it a major step forward in sports cardiology in the region,” Wakuganda said.

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She added that the programme will offer screenings, raise awareness about sudden cardiac death, provide necessary equipment and contribute to ongoing research in Africa.

“Through this unit, we aim to work closely with sports clubs, federations and universities to integrate heart screenings into training,” Wakuganda explained. With more than 12 million people participating in sports across Tanzania, the project aims to support not only professional athletes but also young players, students and amateur athletes. “This initiative is for everyone from local footballers to gym-goers ensuring safe training and competition,” she added.

Peter Kisenge, Executive Director of JKCI, stated that the partnership with EAHA is part of a broader effort to address African health challenges with African solutions.

“We are laying the groundwork for a continental network of sports cardiology, where expertise and innovation will save lives across borders,” Kisenge said.

EAHA President, Prof Ahmed Ashraf Eissa, highlighted the knowledge exchange aspect of the partnership, noting that Tanzanian physicians will receive training on athlete examinations, with future visits to Egypt for practical experience.