Cimas Helps 10 Children Get Life-Saving Heart Surg...

Cimas Helps 10 Children Get Life-Saving Heart Surgery

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

At least 4 500 children are born with congenital heart defects every year in Zimbabwe, yet access to specialised surgical care remains limited.

In response, Cimas Health Group has once again supported the Egypt–Zimbabwe Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Mission, which concluded its second edition of the Open Heart Camp at Parirenyatwa Hospital this month.

The week-long surgical initiative enabled 10 children, aged between six months and 10 years, to undergo life-saving open heart procedures led by a team of Egyptian cardiac specialists working alongside local Zimbabwean surgeons.

Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer Vuli Ndlovu said their continued involvement aligns with the company’s health-focused mission.

“Having supported the first Open Heart Surgical Camp in November last year and seeing its impact on paediatric cardiac care in Zimbabwe, we decided to be part of this year’s camp again. This aligns with our purpose to inspire healthier communities,” he said.

Ndlovu said the programme reflects Cimas’s commitment to shared responsibility with Government in improving national healthcare systems.

“This Open Heart Camp plays a key role in empowering our surgeons in the area of paediatric cardiac care, which remains underdeveloped not only in Zimbabwe, but across the region,” he said.

He added that Cimas is open to continued public-private partnerships.

“Despite economic headwinds, our determination remains unshaken. At Cimas Health Group, we are not driven solely by profit. Our guiding force is the profound responsibility of saving lives.”

Deputy Minister of Health and Childcare Sleiman Kwidini commended the role of sponsors including Cimas, NOIC, and The Avenues Clinic, describing their contributions as examples of effective corporate citizenship.

“This camp reflects the full potential of public private partnerships in delivering high-impact healthcare. You are investing not only in healthcare, but also in hope, in futures, and in the vision of a stronger Zimbabwe,” he said.

Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu, General Manager of The Avenues Clinic, said their participation reflected a broader commitment to serve society’s most vulnerable.

“We strongly believe in partnerships that put people first. Our support in this mission reflects our drive to improve access to specialised care,” she said.