Children's Heart- LIFE-SAVING CARDIAC SURGERY

Cardiovascular diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity among children in Zambia, where access to specialized pediatric cardiac care is still limited despite the presence of a national referral hospital. Gaps in clinical protocols, limited autonomy of local staff, and challenges in post-operative management continue to affect timely diagnosis and quality of care for children with congenital heart diseases.

In this context, Mission Bambini continues its commitment through the “Cuore di bimbi” Program. From March 21 to 28, 2026, a cardiac surgery mission was carried out at the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka, with the objective of providing life-saving interventions and strengthening local capacities through collaboration with healthcare professionals on site.

The mission involved an international medical team composed of specialists in cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, cardiology, intensive care, and perfusion, working closely with local hospital staff. Clinical activities took place from March 22 to March 28 and included both surgical procedures and diagnostic evaluations. Overall, 8 pediatric cardiac surgeries were performed, while 20 children were assessed through echocardiographic examinations in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Post-operative outcomes were generally positive, although one patient affected by a particularly complex condition died due to complications. This underlines the need to further strengthen intensive care management and improve the handling of high-risk cases.

The mission also represented an important opportunity for on-the-job training and collaboration. Strong cooperation was observed with local teams in cardiology, cardiac surgery, and perfusion, while critical gaps remain in anesthesiology and pediatric intensive care. More broadly, the limited autonomy of local staff highlights the need for a more structured and continuous capacity-building approach.

In parallel, meetings with local stakeholders allowed for discussions on future collaboration opportunities, including the expansion of screening activities and stronger coordination with other actors operating in the same context. The presence of multiple international missions further emphasized the importance of aligning clinical approaches, while supporting the development of locally owned protocols.

Despite existing challenges, the mission confirmed several strengths, including a well-equipped hospital infrastructure and good diagnostic capacity within the cardiology team. At the same time, key areas for improvement were identified, such as the lack of standardized protocols and the need to reinforce post-operative care systems.

Looking ahead, a revised model for future missions has been proposed, including longer mission duration, structured preparation and follow-up phases, and enhanced daily coordination with local teams. The next step will be the organization of a pediatric cardiology screening camp in November 2026, aimed at improving early diagnosis and expanding access to care.

The Lusaka mission reaffirmed the importance of combining direct clinical care with long-term capacity building, contributing to a more sustainable and accessible cardiac care system for children in Zambia.