Denver Isaacs
6 August 2008
The first cardiac hospital unit in Namibia was officially inaugurated yesterday by President Hifikepunye Pohamba and his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki.
Yesterday's event at the Windhoek Central Hospital followed the first nine heart surgeries performed at this hospital in June.
These operations were performed by a team of 13 health professionals from South Africa's Groote Schuur hospital, the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, and a team from the Windhoek Central Hospital.
The patients were all suffering from advanced rheumatic heart disease, which affected their heart valves.
Yesterday also saw the signing of a co-operation agreement between the health ministers of both countries, one which President Pohamba said would emphasise training and capacity building in the field of medicine.
"This is an exemplary model for SADC and indeed for the whole African continent.
It testifies to the intention of our two countries to further enhance south-south cooperation in general, and regional integration in particular," he said during his speech.
Pohamba expressed gratitude also to Deputy Prime Minister and former Health Minister Dr Libertina Amathila who had initiated the project that was then seen through by current minister Dr Richard Kamwi.
Also in attendance was the South African medical team who performed the first local heart operations, who used the visit to conduct follow-up examinations of the patients.
They also tested the functionality of the new cardiac catheterisation theatre in the new unit.
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