Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, access to sustainable cardiac care remains limited. The reliance on short-term medical mission-based interventions has not addressed the critical workforce and infrastructure gaps in the region. The Global Heartcare Foundation (GHF) provides a framework for transitioning from episodic care to locally driven team-based solutions. Through comprehensive training programs, high-volume cardiac center partnerships, strategic investments, and locally led research, the GHF has enabled the development of independent cardiac teams and infrastructure in Ethiopia and Tanzania. To date, GHF has trained more than 50 African physicians, nurses, and technicians, and supports national registries for Rheumatic and Congenital Heart Disease alongside expanding digital learning initiatives. This review offers a framework for building sustainable cardiovascular care systems in low-resource settings, emphasizing team training, partnerships, mentoring, infrastructure investments, and long-term capacity building.
Keywords
Cardiac team training, sub-Saharan Africa, Global cardiovascular health, Workforce development, Sustainability