Led
by
a
team
of
Egyptian
cardiac
specialists,
in
collaboration
with
local
Zimbabwean
medical
professionals,
this
year’s
camp
built
on
the
success
of
the
inaugural
Open
Heart
Camp
held
in
November
2024,
which
Cimas
Health
Group
also
supported.
The
week-long
surgical
Open
Heart
Camp
2,
held
at
Parirenyatwa
Hospital,
saw
10
Zimbabwean
children
undergo
life-saving
cardiac
procedures.
The
operated
children,
aged
between
6
months
and
10
years,
were
mainly
suffering
from
congenital
heart
defects,
that
is
abnormalities
present
at
birth
that
can
affect
the
heart’s
walls,
valves,
or
associated
blood
vessels.
At
least
4
500
children
are
said
to
be
born
with
a
congenital
heart
disease
each
year
in
Zimbabwe.
The
Open
Heart
Camp
has
been
described
as
a
prime
example
of
effective
public
private
sector
collaboration,
made
possible
by
the
Government
through
the
Ministry
of
Health
and
Child
Care,
National
Oil
Infrastructure
Company
of
Zimbabwe,
the
Embassy
of
Egypt
in
Zimbabwe,
the
Gift
of
Life
International
Foundation
of
United
States
of
America,
the
Rotary
Club
of
Harare
Central,
and
The
Avenues
Clinic
among
others.
Cimas
Health
Group
Chief
Executive
Officer,
Vuli
Ndlovu,
yesterday
said
Cimas
Health
Group
remains
committed
to
improving
healthcare
delivery
in
Zimbabwe,
in
alignment
with
the
Government’s
Vision
2030,
which
prioritises
access
to
quality,
world-class
healthcare
for
all
citizens.
“Having
supported
the
first
Open
Heart
Surgical
Camp
in
November
last
year
and
seeing
its
impact
on
paediatric
cardiac
care
in
Zimbabwe,
we
decided
to
be
part
of
this
year’s
camp
again.
This
aligns
with
our
purpose
to
inspire
healthier
communities,”
Ndlovu
said.
Ndlovu
said
being
part
of
Open
Heart
Camp
2
demonstrates
Cimas
Health
Group’s
solidarity
with
the
Government
and
shared
responsibility
in
enhancing
health
delivery
in
the
country.
“This
Open
Heart
Camp
plays
a
key
role
in
empowering
our
surgeons
in
the
area
of
paediatric
cardiac
care,
which
remains
underdeveloped
not
only
in
Zimbabwe,
but
across
the
region,”
Ndlovu
said.
He
added
that
Cimas
Health
Group
remains
open
to
future
collaborations
that
support
improved
healthcare
delivery,
beyond
profit
motives.
“Despite
economic
headwinds,
our
determination
remains
unshaken.
At
Cimas
Health
Group,
we
are
not
driven
solely
by
profit.
Our
guiding
force
is
the
profound
responsibility
of
saving
lives,”
Ndlovu
said.
Deputy
Minister
of
Health
and
Childcare,
Honourable
Sleiman
Kwidini,
commended
the
role
of
private
sponsors,
describing
them
as
exemplary
corporate
citizens.
He
noted
that
the
camp
reflects
the
full
potential
of
Public–Private
Partnerships
(PPPs)
in
delivering
high-impact
healthcare
interventions.
“To
our
committed
local
sponsors,
NOIC,
The
Avenues
Clinic,
and
Cimas,
your
contribution
defines
true
corporate
citizenship.
You
are
investing
not
only
in
healthcare,
but
also
in
hope,
in
futures,
and
in
the
vision
of
a
stronger
Zimbabwe,”
Minister
Kwidini
said.
“All
of
this
aligns
with
His
Excellency
(Emmerson
Mnangagwa)
the
President’s
Vision
2030
to
transform
Zimbabwe
into
an
empowered,
upper-middle-income
society.
World-class
healthcare
is
a
pillar
of
that
vision.”
Minister
Kwidini
also
praised
the
dedication
of
Zimbabwean
health
professionals.
“Our
surgeons,
anaesthetists,
nurses,
perfusionists,
technicians,
and
support
staff
are
heroes.
This
camp
would
not
be
possible
without
their
tireless
work,
passion,
and
professionalism,”
he
said.
The
Avenues
Clinic
General
Manager
Sibusisiwe
Ndhlovu
echoed
Ndlovu’s
sentiments,
also
emphasising
their
commitment
to
national
health
priorities.
“As
a
private
healthcare
institution,
The
Avenues
Clinic
is
honoured
to
once
again
contribute
to
the
Egypt–Zimbabwe
Paediatric
Cardiac
Surgery
Mission,
a
truly
life-changing
initiative,”
she
said.
“At
The
Avenues
Clinic
we
strongly
believe
in
partnerships
that
put
people
first.
Our
support
in
this
mission
reflects
our
broader
commitment
to
play
our
part
in
enabling
access
to
specialised
care
for
the
most
vulnerable
members
of
our
society.”