An overseas collaboration to improve cardiac care
A team of cardiologist from Barts Heart Centre (BHC) recently took an exciting journey across the globe to visit the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) and strengthen our ongoing healthcare partnership with the East African country. Their mission? To combine our expertise and resources to benefit patients on both sides of the world.
The collaboration aims to exchange insights and knowledge on patient cases, unite on future research projects, and through combined teaching and training sessions, support service developments in both institutions.
St Bartholomew's cardiology consultant, Andrew Deaner said: “Although we acknowledge that the UK has cultural difference to Uganda, we share the same values and approach when it comes to healthcare, and I look forward to building our relationship with the UHI to pave the way for innovative and life-changing advancements in the world of cardiology, together.”
During the visit, an educational symposium was presented by both the UHI and BHC teams on site at the Mulago National Referral Hospital, as well as virtually. A team of eight cardiology consultants from St Bartholomew’s Hospital attended and shared their knowledge about subspecialty interests such as surgery, interventional cardiology, pregnancy and heart disease and more.
“I was extremely impressed by the standard of knowledge and motivation the trainees and clinical fellows have, and to learn of the impressive work and research they are currently undertaking,” he added.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is home to 10 catheter labs that serve our population of around 2.5 million patients across East London. Uganda currently has four catheter labs to serve their population of around 45 million.
We will welcome colleagues from Uganda, help them broaden their skills and gain specific experiences in areas of cardiology that aren’t available to them in Uganda, as they are about to open a very large new centre that they will need expertise for.
“This collaboration will benefit us both, not only will we be able to help them improve on the service they can offer in Uganda, but as the figures show, they operate with a much larger population of patients, they can show us how we can care for patients more efficiently,” Andrew said.
Currently, The Uganda-UK Health Alliance is a collaboration between Ministry of Health, Uganda and NHS Health Education England, helping UK organisations undertake healthcare capacity building work in Uganda.
Barts Heart Centre are the first to partner with Uganda the arena of in cardiology.
Since this visit, we welcomed the deupty to Uganda's permanent secretary for health, Henry Muwonge, along with representatives of the High Commission and the World Health Organisation.
Uganda’s permanent secretary for health said: “The Ministry of Health Uganda is so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Barts Hospital on building capacity of cardiology care, training and research.
“This will be a part of the Strengthening Health workforce Capacity through Global Learning (SCALE) Programme. The areas of collaboration will include monthly meetings, exchanging experts on intermediate and long-term placements and research in cardiology.”
We look forward to growing this exciting collaboration and going forward, the great work that our ongoing relationship will bring to both centres.