Doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals have successfully carried out an open-heart surgery using a newly acquired heart-lung machine for the first time, marking a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s public cardiac care capacity.
The milestone procedure was conducted on Tuesday in Harare as the hospital commissioned the state-of-the-art bypass machine, procured by the Government. Before the operation, the surgical team observed a moment of prayer, highlighting both the seriousness of the procedure and the significance of the achievement for the country’s health sector.
While open-heart surgeries are not new at Parirenyatwa, Specialist Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon Dr Simukayi Percy Machawira said the new machine represents a critical upgrade for patient care.
“We are happy to let you know that we have received a new heart-lung machine, also called the bypass machine. It is a stocked S5 machine, brand new and state-of-the-art. It will help us perform our procedures better for our patients. Today we are commissioning it on our first patient,” Dr Machawira said.
For nearly two decades, the cardiac unit had relied on ageing equipment, which often caused disruptions in complex procedures. The new machine, equipped with six pumps, is more efficient and less traumatic to blood and blood products during surgery.
“The lifespan is at least 10 to 15 years, and with refurbishment, it can last even longer. Previously, we had to operate in stops and starts due to machine failures. Now we have a brand new machine and expect five to 10 years of uninterrupted service to our population,” Dr Machawira added.
Since the resumption of cardiac procedures in 2023, the team has successfully operated on approximately 92 patients. With the new equipment, the hospital aims to increase surgical output, potentially performing one to two operations daily, and plans to hold a camp in the near future to operate on up to 10 patients per week.
The operation reflects Government efforts in recent months to strengthen public hospitals with specialised equipment, including dialysis machines, CT scanners, and heart surgery tools.
For the surgical team, Tuesday’s procedure marks years of dedication paying off, and for patients, it signals renewed hope that advanced life-saving cardiac procedures can now be accessed locally.
Source – ZBC
