7th March, 2026
A team of surgeons from the University of Michigan in the United States of America is currently in Zambia to carry out specialized adult open heart surgeries.
National Heart Hospital (NHH) working in collaboration with the University aims to provide life-saving surgical treatment to patients with complex cardiac conditions particularly rheumatic heart disease.
Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Chabwela Shumba says rheumatic heart disease remains the leading cause of acquired heart disease and number one killer of young adults in the country.
Dr Shumba told Journalists that visited the facility in Chongwe, that prioritizing access to cardiac surgery is critical to public health.
He said the 2026, bilateral adult open heart surgery mission is working to provide life-altering surgeries for 10 patients suffering from severe rheumatic heart valve disease.
Dr Shumba has disclosed that so far eight patients have already undergone successful surgeries and are currently recovering well in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under close monitoring.
He stressed that during the mission the team will also work to provide life-changing surgeries for 10 patients.
He said that performing procedures locally through the collaboration, substantial resources are saved that could be redirected to other critical developmental projects.
The SMS revealed that the hospital targets to performing at least 150 adult open-heart surgeries this year alone, as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the backlog of patients currently awaiting life-saving surgical treatment.
Through the on-going joint cooperation, the U.S based university has also donated surgical consumables that are essential for performing open heart surgeries.
The critical life-saving medical supplies, include heart valves, oxygenators, and various other items at a total cost of 2-million kwacha.
Meanwhile, visiting team member and Cardiac Surgeon Nick Teman has expressed happiness that all the operations conducted so far were very successful. 
Dr Teman , thanked the government of Zambia for its cooperation and has encouraged citizens to visit the hospital for screening and treatment.
By Kelvin Phiri
Picture: Milika Chirwa
Communication and Public Relations Unit
Ministry of Health
