Ghana to Host First Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery Summit

Accra: Ghana is set to host the first-ever Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery Summit, focusing on building Africa's medical expertise. The summit, scheduled to take place from 21-24 February 2025, aims to bring together expertise from across Africa to confront the continent's escalating cardiovascular disease burden.According to Ghana News Agency, at a media briefing to announce the summit, Prof. Charles Yankah, Director of Humanitarian Cardiac Surgery Ghana, highlighted the summit's goal of bridging critical gaps in specialized care through targeted training, technology, and cross-border collaboration. Prof. Yankah emphasized the urgency of addressing Africa's shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons and infrastructure with homegrown solutions.Prof. Yankah noted that the summit is about equipping African professionals to lead. By training trainers, a multiplier effect is created, empowering local experts to mentor the next generation and expand access to life-saving care. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 2 percent of children with heart issues have access to surgery, underscoring the need for charity organizations to undertake surgeries. The summit will provide a platform for charity organizations and medical experts to suggest ways to facilitate "low budget" cardiac surgery in Africa.These discussions, he mentioned, will enable underserved African communities to have more access to interventional and surgical procedures. The summit will also feature key initiatives, including partnerships with United States of America (USA), European, and African institutions, to offer hands-on training in advanced surgical techniques.Additionally, the summit will introduce a digital registry by Prof. Yankah's NGO, PASCAT, to track surgical outcomes, map regional disparities, and guide policy. Workshops on artificial intelligence tools will be included to enhance preoperative planning and predict treatment outcomes, with a focus on resource-limited settings.The summit will spotlight gender inclusivity as a pillar of capacity bui lding. A dedicated youth forum will connect medical students with global experts, offering career guidance and showcasing minimally invasive techniques like interventional cardiology.