Tanzania Cardiac

In 2015, Mending Kids deployed the first mission to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Over the past few years, we've gone on surgical trips where we performed surgeries as well as training local medical team. This mission provides mentoring and support on complex cases for Dr. Godwin Sharau, the first Tanzanian pediatric cardiac surgeon.

The need

Tanzania has a population of nearly 55 million people, 70% of whom live in rural areas with little to no access to medical care. Almost half of the population is under the age of 14, with over 10,000 children in desperate need of life-saving cardiac and life-changing general surgeries.
Tanzania requires 90,000 additional healthcare providers to stabilize and address the needs of the current population. Because of their remote locations and lack easy access to care, once a child reaches a Mending Kids mission, their condition has often deteriorated, making their treatments even more complex.

Mission support

Your tax-deductible donation will support Dr. Zahn
and his medical team's travel for the mission, as well as the purchase of medical supplies to provide this critical cardiac care. Everyone, including Dr. Zahn donates their time and services to give these kids a chance at a healthy life.

Progress and goals

Dr. Zahn, while in Tanzania has also helped children from neighboring countries including Uganda, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2016, Dr. Sharau trained with Mending Kids on VSDs, Tetralogy of Fallot and performed the first Truncus Arteriosus case (a rare heart defect that must be repaired before 9 months of age) in Tanzania.
Since our last trip, Dr. Sharau and Dr. Majani have performed 100+ life-saving procedures without mission support and are closer to self- sustainment.
Through the combined efforts of Dr. Zahn and Dr. Agati, over 80 children have received complex cardiac procedures.