Luanda — The Service of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Josina Machel Hospital, in operation since 2008, aims to increase the number of operations, currently estimated at 25 per month.

According to the head of that department, the surgeon Dario Olaio, from November 2008 to May this year, were registered about 214 surgeries, but due to demand it needs to be increased.

Among the prospects, he explained, are the increase in homodynamic procedures, consultations, outpatient procedures, hospitalisation, and great divulgation of services in order to encourage the delivery of patients from other regions.

According to him, rheumatic disease is the leading cause of heart disease in Angola, followed by heart disease and hypertension (mainly young people).

The Josina Machel hospital is the only unit available that has this type of surgery and with the increase of cases of degenerative diseases there is also a need to invest in preventive measures and better coordination between primary, secondary and tertiary health care.

The nursing service has a capacity of 40 beds, while the intensive care ward has eight beds.

So far 7.655 patients were assisted and admitted 633, mostly women.