JKCI to open cardiology center for Tanzanian sportsmen, women

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI)  has signed an agreement with the Tanzania Football Federation(TFF) to open a  Cardiology program for sportsmen and women that will test players’ health.

The move aims to prevent sudden deaths, most notably from heart disease.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam immediately after signing the agreement, TFF President, Wallace Karia, said the program will involve heart screening for all Premier League and Championship players and special training for team doctors and health professionals on sports-related heart diseases.

“This is a dream that is now coming true and Tanzania is preparing for major tournaments – CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027, which is a unique opportunity for our nation to showcase its football prowess and also invest in the health of our players and TFF recognizes that success in sports cannot be achieved without having healthy players, especially heart health.

Karia said they have been facing a major challenge of young people, especially in schools and street teams, losing their lives suddenly on the field due to heart problems that have never been detected before. This is a situation that we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to.

He said the exercise will be accompanied by the Sports Heart Marathon campaign to build a Center where TFF will provide full cooperation in its preparation and implementation.

“CAF and FIFA have also been emphasizing the importance of heart screening before players participate in any competition so this is part of the international policies for the protection of players’ lives, we cannot be left behind and we are joining all football associations in the world in the implementation of this policy and introducing a new policy that every athlete before joining and sports must be examined for heart health and continue to be examined at different periods, this is at all levels up to schools”.

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He also noted that without the program, they face the challenges of not knowing the health status of players, losing talent to unexpected deaths, reducing the morale of the community to invest in sports, and even affecting the country’s international reputation when a player loses his life on an international stage.

“That is what we are in charge of, and we are ready to help in construction, equipment, and experts, as well as encouraging all our clubs to participate fully.

For his part, the Director of JKCI, Dr. Peter Kisenge, said statistics show that one in 50,000 players lose their lives every year due to heart problems, and others fail to reach the hospital, and sometimes deaths occur in front of fans and leave the community in shock.

“Today, we are officially launching the sports cardiology branch, the main goal is to protect the hearts of our players, it is a unique and first project in the country. Due to such deaths, we are taught that every player should undergo a thorough heart examination before participating in any competition.

He said that towards the AFCON 2027, they need to be ready to ensure the safety and well-being of every player who sets foot on Tanzanian soil.

Dr. Kisenge explained that the project will be at the JKCI-Dar group branch, which is located near the national stadium and the airport, and will have modern facilities, swimming pools, gyms, accommodation areas for athletes and advanced and modern diagnostic services and heart monitoring.

“In support of the strategies for the construction of this new building, we will hold a Sports Heart Marathon so we will encourage everyone to participate by running, donating or spreading this important message and this race will start from Masaki to Dar Group Hospital where this building will be built, we will invite all players, various leaders and all the people to participate.