Lake zone residents to benefit from free heart screening

GEITA: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has embarked on a significant initiative to provide free heart disease screening services in Geita, targeting residents from the Lake Zone Regions.

The heart screening camp, beginning today, coincides with the 7th Mining Technology Exhibition taking place from tomorrow until October 13 in Geita and is part of JKCI’s activities in celebration of World Heart Day.

The camp aims to offer comprehensive cardiovascular check-ups to individuals in the Lake Zone, a region where specialised heart health services are limited.

The initiative is a proactive step towards addressing the rising number of heart disease cases in Tanzania, especially in areas with minimal access to advanced healthcare facilities.

Speaking ahead of the heart screening mission, Dr Vivienne Mlawi, the leader of the JKCI team of cardiologists providing the services, emphasised that the programme aligns with the Tanzanian government’s broader objectives of improving public health services.

She noted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has been instrumental in increasing the allocation of resources to enhance healthcare, particularly in maternal and child health services.

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JKCI’s involvement in this mission is part of these efforts, with a focus on providing high-quality cardiac care to underserved regions.

“JKCI, in collaboration with the Geita Regional Commissioner, has planned to conduct free heart disease examinations, especially since this year’s theme for World Heart Day encourages the use of technology to improve healthcare.

We believe it is time to extend these vital services to the Lake Zone, where heart hospitals are lacking,” said Dr Mlawi.

Dr Mlawi elaborated on the fact that this initiative would focus not only on heart disease screening but also on raising awareness about heart health.

Special attention will be given to miners, given the unique occupational risks they face, such as exposure to harsh conditions that may contribute to the development of heart conditions.

In addition to the screenings, JKCI will offer heart health education to miners, with the long-term goal of establishing sustainable health practices.

The JKCI initiative in Geita is part of a broader effort to expand cardiac services across the country. Tanzania has made great strides in this area, with JKCI playing a central role in reducing the number of heart patients needing treatment abroad by a significant 95 per cent.

This achievement has not only benefited Tanzanian citizens but has also garnered international attention.

In line with this effort, JKCI recently sent four heart specialists to Zambia, where they performed heart surgeries as part of a collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Zambia and Tanzania in the healthcare sector.

The week-long mission allowed JKCI doctors to share their expertise with their Zambian counterparts and build local capacity in cardiology.

It also served as an opportunity for Zambian doctors to witness firsthand the advancements Tanzania has made in cardiology