Joseph Isangura
The Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Tanzania has entered into a formal partnership with the government of Burkina Faso.
The agreement, signed in Dar es Salaam, aims to strengthen capacity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr. Peter Kisenge, Executive Director of JKCI, described the collaboration as a significant milestone in Africa’s efforts to build self-reliant healthcare systems. “We’ve agreed to assist Burkina Faso by sharing expertise in research, offering advanced training to health professionals, and providing access to lifesaving heart surgery for complex cases,” he said.
Under the deal, Tanzanian specialists will travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, to train local healthcare providers including cardiologists, nurses, and biomedical technicians. In return, Burkinabe professionals will come to Tanzania for hands-on learning at JKCI.
Dr. Kisenge emphasized that the cooperation also involves logistical support—particularly in the supply of medical equipment. Both parties have agreed to procure essential heart treatment devices from Tanzania’s Medical Stores Department (MSD), ensuring quality and affordability.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with low- and middle-income countries like Burkina Faso and Tanzania facing increasing pressure from lifestyle-related health challenges. This new partnership is a strategic response to that threat, aiming to reduce the rising mortality rates from heart disease across the continent.
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The JKCI, named after former Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has grown into a regional center of excellence since its establishment in 2015. The institution offers a wide range of services, including pediatric cardiology, open-heart surgery, and post-operative rehabilitation, drawing patients from across East Africa.
“This collaboration is not just about surgery,” Dr. Kisenge added. “It’s about empowering our fellow Africans to develop homegrown expertise and become self-reliant in managing chronic diseases.”
Officials from Burkina Faso hailed the agreement as a game-changer. They noted that the high cost of overseas treatment has long hindered access to care for many of their citizens. The ability to train local experts and send critical cases to JKCI could drastically improve survival rates.
The first exchange of medical personnel is expected to begin later this year. Stakeholders on both sides expressed hope that this agreement would lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration in other areas of public health, including digital diagnostics and telemedicine.
With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now a leading public health concern in Africa, this move underscores the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing to strengthen healthcare delivery.
