Challenges of Caring for Functionally Single Ventricle Patients in Africa. Issue 3 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwin, Frank; Elgamal, Mohamed-Adel; Dorra, Abid; Reddy, Darshan; Entsua-Mensah, Kow; Adzamli, Innocent; Yao, Nana-Akyaa; Tettey, Mark; Tamatey, Martin; Vosloo, Susan; Kinsley, Rob
• Is Part Of: World journal for pediatric & congenital heart surgery. Volume 10:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 342
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: CHD -- univentricular heart -- congenital heart disease (CHD) -- functionally univentricular heart -- health policy (includes government regulation) -- cost analysis; Pediatric cardiology -- Periodicals; Congenital heart disease in children -- Periodicals; Heart -- Abnormalities -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Heart Defects, Congenital -- surgery -- Periodicals; Cardiac Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Child -- Periodicals; Adult -- Periodicals; 618.9212
• DOI: 10.1177/2150135118817769
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-1351

Abstract

Surgical palliation has remarkably improved survival of functionally single ventricle (FSV) patients born in developed nations but such outcomes have not occurred in Africa. The poor care coverage for FSV patients in Africa exists within the larger sphere of deficient health care for children born with congenital heart defects (CHDs) in Africa generally. This review takes the position that to improve health-care coverage for CHD patients on the continent, political priority is paramount. This can be attained with cohesive leadership for the CHD agenda, a guiding institution, and the mobilization of civil society to drive advocacy at national and international levels.