Open Heart Camp 2 Begins At Parirenyatwa Hospital

Zimbabwe and Egypt have launched the second edition of the Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Camp, known as Open Heart Camp 2, at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

The initiative focuses on life-saving operations for children and the critical transfer of specialised skills to Zimbabwean medical professionals.

The camp seeks to perform open-heart surgery on up to 10 children from across Zimbabwe’s provinces. It builds on the success of the inaugural camp in 2024, during which 10 children underwent successful life-saving procedures.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, praised the initiative as a remarkable demonstration of African solidarity, spotlighting the shared commitment between Zimbabwe and Egypt to advancing children’s health through cooperation and expertise exchange. Said Kwidini:

This mission is far more than a surgical programme. It is a bold demonstration of African Solutions for African Problems.

Kwidini commended the unwavering dedication and professionalism of Zimbabwean medical professionals, saying:

You are heroes. This camp would not have been possible without your tireless work, passion, and professionalism. You are not just observing; you are actively operating, learning, and leading.

For her part, Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Salwa Mowafi, reaffirmed her government’s continued commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector. She said:

Egypt has lots of capacities and capabilities in many fields, including heart surgeries. We are here to help, and we are happy to do that. We always believe that there are always African solutions for African challenges.

Mowafi underscored the strong ties between Egypt and Zimbabwe, backed by both President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.