General Hospital Cuts Cost Of Cardiac Surgery

P atients suffering from com­ plex heart diseases have benefited from specialised cardiac surgery at the Douala General Hospital. This was during a campaign organised with a team of Cameroonian Doctors based in Germany under the Heart Beat association aimed at helping to re­ duce the cost of treatment and me­ dical evacuations abroad. The cam­ paign that ran from September 28 to October 2, targeted patients with congenital and acquired heart di­ seases, including complex conditions that would otherwise require treat­ ment outside the country. According to the Deputy GM of the hospital, Pr. Kedy Mangamba Daniele Christiane Koum, the cardiac surgery that could cost between 15 and 30 million CFA francs abroad is being offered to patients at an estimated 2 to 3 million, thanks to cost-sharing between the Douala General Hospital and the Heart Beat association. Beyond the cost of treatment, the initiative also reduces expenses lin­ ked to medical evacuation, including transportation, accommodation and prolonged stays abroad. Pr. Kedy ad­ ded that the campaign is being conducted using the advanced tech­ nical platform installed at the Douala General Hospital by the government. The facility is equipped for cardiac diagnosis and treatment, including electrocardiography, echocardiogra­ phy, coronary CT scans, cardiac MRI and coronary angiography, as well as equipment for cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology. According the medical director and head of the cardiac unit at the Douala general hospital, Pr. Kamdem Félicité, the initiative is also contributing to skills transfer as Cameroonian car­ diologists, surgeons and anesthetists are working alongside specialists from the Heartbeat Association du­ ring consultations and surgical pro­ cedures, strengthening local...