The inaugural Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery Summit has concluded with key recommendations aimed at making heart surgery more affordable and accessible in Africa. 

Leading experts agreed on the need for specialised working groups to guide cardiovascular treatments, bulk procurement of medical supplies to lower costs, and early screening programmes to improve early detection and treatment of heart diseases. Additionally, re-sterilisation of certain surgical consumables was proposed to enhance access to life-saving procedures.

The summit, held from February 21 to 24, 2025, brought together leading specialists from across Africa and beyond to address the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases and explore solutions tailored to the continent’s unique healthcare challenges.

The closing ceremony featured prominent figures in the field, including Prof. Charles Yankah, Director of Humanitarian Cardiac Surgery Ghana, who outlined the summit’s resolutions and future initiatives.

Key outcomes and recommendations

Prof. Yankah emphasised the urgent need for Africa to develop its own robust cardiothoracic surgery programmes instead of relying on overseas medical treatment. “Ghana has the potential to develop a comprehensive cardiac programme, and we are here to support our Ghanaian and African colleagues in discussing the way forward,” he stated.

One of the summit’s major resolutions was the establishment of specialised working groups focusing on critical areas such as valve surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery—procedures increasingly necessary in Africa due to the rise in heart-related emergencies.

“We have come to the conclusion that there are many locally specific problems that we must tackle ourselves. These working groups will provide guidelines for the cardiovascular community in Africa to effectively address these issues,” Prof. Yankah explained.

Lowering cost of heart surgery in Africa

A central concern raised was the high cost of heart surgery, which remains a significant barrier to treatment for many Africans. To combat this, the summit recommended the bulk procurement of medical supplies for cardiovascular centres across the continent.

“If hospitals purchase consumables in bulk, the cost of surgery can be significantly reduced. This approach has proven effective in other regions,” Prof. Yankah noted.

Additionally, the summit proposed re-sterilisation of certain surgical consumables, a practice already implemented in India and South America. “For example, in Brazil, they re-sterilise some consumables up to three or four times. This can improve access to life-saving procedures for more patients,” he added.

Prof. Yankah also stressed the importance of early screening programmes to detect cardiovascular diseases before they become life-threatening. “A screening programme is crucial to detecting diseases early and treating them properly,” he stated.

Furthermore, the summit underscored the need to invest in post-surgical intensive care to improve recovery outcomes, particularly for complex cases. “Recovery is just as important as surgery itself. Intensive care is critical for ensuring that severely ill patients regain their health after surgery,” Prof. Yankah emphasised.

The German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, expressed his admiration for the initiative, noting that early detection and heart surgeries for children are vital for improving survival rates.

“If we want to save children from heart disease, we must implement preventive measures early. I urge everyone to support this crucial programme to give many children a better future,” Ambassador Krull stated.

A fundraising dinner was held as part of the summit, with proceeds dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and supporting patients with cardiovascular diseases in Ghana. Tables were priced at $50 per person or $500 for a group of ten, and the funds will be used exclusively within Ghana.

“This fundraiser is about inspiring the public and participants to support our charity work. Civil society, businesses, and communities must rally together to make quality heart care accessible,” Prof. Yankah appealed.

The event attracted over 250 participants from across Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with significant representation from Germany, the United States, and South America.