Hôpital Fann : Plus de 400 enfants en attente d’ une intervention cardiovasculaire
Cardiovascular diseases are taking on alarming proportions in Senegal, particularly affecting children. At the Cuomo Pediatric Cardiovascular Center at Fann Hospital, 452 children are on the waiting list for surgery. This information was made public by Professor Amadou Gabriel Ciss, head of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department, during the mission of the NGO La Chaîne de l'Espoir.
The organization plans to build a Vascular, Endovascular, and Cardiac Center (VEC) at Fann University Hospital. This project will strengthen the capacity of the already overcrowded Cuomo Center to treat cardiac conditions in children and adults.
"We're here for the Cuomo Center expansion because it's at the end of its capacity. The waiting list is very long, for both children and adults. You should know that the mortality rate linked to cardiovascular diseases is 48%," explained Pierre Éric Cheysson, president of the NGO La Chaîne de l'Espoir.
The expansion project, estimated at more than 14 billion CFA francs, will triple current capacity: 76 beds, five operating rooms, including an ultra-modern hybrid room, and eight intensive care beds.
According to Professor Gabriel Ciss, the situation is all the more worrying given that Senegal's population is expected to double by 2050, reaching 35 million inhabitants, including 5.5 million adults exposed to cardiac pathologies. "The leading cause of mortality will be linked to strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease. The objective is to anticipate this through prevention, information, and the strengthening of adult cardiac surgery," he emphasizes.
The causes of a worrying resurgence
The specialist points to several factors: an aging population, changing lifestyles, a diet high in fat, sugar, and salt, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and the rise in diabetes. All of these factors contribute to the rise in cardiovascular disease. Added to this is a lack of human resources.
"Currently, there are only eight cardiovascular surgeons for more than 18 million inhabitants, far from international standards," laments Professor Ciss.
To strengthen local skills, a specialized diploma in cardiovascular surgery has been established. Each year, around a hundred candidates from sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb apply. "As soon as a Senegalese person signs up, we prioritize them. The training is long—eight years after earning a doctorate in medicine—but it is essential. Six young Senegalese are currently completing their training in France and will soon return to the country," says Professor Ciss.
The latter also highlights the social dimension of the problem: "Many families cannot afford surgery. Financial accessibility remains a major challenge that we are discussing with the state."
Since its opening, the Cuomo Center has received and operated on more than 1,500 patients, including over 1,100 children. It has become a reference not only for Senegal, but also for several neighboring countries: Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone. From the sub-region alone, 112 children have been operated on in Dakar.
Commentaires (6)
Téléthon CUOMO en décembre inchallah.
Et pourtant des politiciens dorment sur plus de 7000 milliards détournés évaporés et se permettent de crier au scandale car on les leur demande, plus triché ce sont ces média de malheur tak seni radio ak tele di doul di dadiale et certains les croient 😭😢
Dakar est sale. le SENEGAL n est pas un pays attractif
C'est scandaleux. President BDF est directemenr interpellé
Triste!!! Avec ces incapables le pays avance à grands pas vers l'abîme...Certainement les parents de ces enfants ont contribué (sans le savoir) à la situation actuelle. Vivement 2029 pour qu'on retrouve Notre pays!!!
mbé mbé nous patriotes sont heureux c'est l'essentiel....2050 c'est demain !!
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