Dr. Azene (second from left), a key contributor to the recently accepted manuscript, participates in training through the Pediatric Heart Initiative
Bringing children’s heart care into Ethiopia’s primary health care system is the focus of a new article by the Global Heartcare Foundation team. “Integrating Pediatric Cardiac Care into Primary Health Care in Ethiopia: A Tiered Framework with Lessons for Low- and Middle-Income Countries” proposes a practical model for expanding access to pediatric cardiac services. This work was also recently presented at the “In Africa for Africa” Cardiothoracic Conference, highlighting the importance of locally driven, scalable approaches to improving children’s heart health. View the presentation here
Pediatric heart disease remains a significant cause of illness and death in many low- and middle-income countries, where specialized cardiac services are often out of reach. In Ethiopia, workforce shortages, limited diagnostic resources, fragmented referral systems, and barriers to long-term follow-up can delay diagnosis and treatment for children with congenital and acquired heart disease.
The proposed tiered framework emphasizes early recognition of heart disease, stronger diagnostic capacity, structured referral pathways, telemedicine-supported specialist consultation, and continuity of care across all levels of the health system.
The article also highlights Ethiopia’s Pediatric Heart Initiative, a locally led program that trains general pediatricians in basic echocardiography and provides ongoing virtual mentorship, expanding access to pediatric cardiac expertise across the country.
By building on existing health care infrastructure, this framework offers a scalable approach to improving access, reducing disparities, and strengthening pediatric cardiovascular care in Ethiopia and other resource-limited settings.
This work builds on the Global Heartcare Foundation’s continued efforts to improve access to cardiac care in low-income countries and share practical, scalable solutions with health systems facing similar challenges.
Read the full article: Link Here