Online Reporter
Zimpapers News Hub
Calls have been made to mainstream childhood heart disease treatment into Zimbabwe’s broader health system following the successful hosting of the Zimbabwe chapter of the first patient-led African Childhood Heart Disease Summit in Bulawayo.
The summit, organised by Brave Little Hearts Zimbabwe, brought together advocates, policymakers and health experts to push for an all-stakeholder approach to support children living with heart disease. It was held on February 27 to mark Childhood Heart Disease Month.
Guest of honour Mr Chikhulupiliro Stanley Ng’ombe of Malawi, interim chairperson of the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Southern Africa Regional Alliance and a member of NCDA Malawi, called for the breaking down of silos in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
He said governments and health systems must shift from disease-specific approaches to integrated, multi-sectoral strategies that address the root causes of illnesses.
“NCDs account for nearly three-quarters of global deaths, with 82 percent of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Breaking down silos is critical for creating sustainable, efficient and equitable health systems,” said Mr Ng’ombe
He said limited resources often forced policymakers to prioritise certain conditions over others, making mainstreaming essential.
“NCDs should not be handled as a health issue only. They are also social, political and economic issues, and must be integrated into all areas of policy and development,” he said.
Ng’ombe said an all-stakeholder approach would strengthen health systems by integrating NCD care into routine primary healthcare services, allowing for early detection, continuous management and improved patient monitoring.
He added that comprehensive care would enable health workers to diagnose and treat multiple conditions during routine check-ups instead of focusing solely on acute illnesses.
“This approach will reduce mortality and morbidity by addressing risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco use across sectors,” he said.
Integrating NCD services into existing health infrastructure would also bring economic benefits by reducing the costs associated with creating separate disease-specific programmes.
Mr Ng’ombe also stressed the need to include people living with the conditions in policy-making processes.
“Involving people with lived experience is not meant to undermine professionals or policymakers. It is about collaboration. Participation is not a favour — it is a right,” he said.
He also called for stronger regional collaboration among African countries to find solutions suited to the continent’s realities.
“As Africa, we have much in common and many of our solutions can be found here on the continent,” he said.
The Bulawayo meeting amplified discussions from the first African Patient-Led Childhood Heart Disease Summit held virtually on February 17. The continental meeting was pioneered by the Global Alliance for Rheumatic and Congenital Hearts and brought together patient leaders and advocates from across Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria.
Director of Brave Little Hearts Zimbabwe, Ms Tendai Moyo, said the Zimbabwe chapter translated the continental discussions into national dialogue and action.
“The summit ensured that Zimbabwean children and families living with heart disease are not left behind in the evolving cardiac care agenda,” she said.
Ms Moyo said the meeting also followed Zimbabwe’s participation at the World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 2025 held in Hong Kong, where Brave Little Hearts Zimbabwe joined global clinicians, researchers and patient advocates working to strengthen care for children living with heart disease worldwide.
