WORLD HEART FEDERATION TACKLES RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE IN AFRICAThe World Heart Federation has launched a project to strengthen the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) in Africa. It is setting up demonstration sites in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa. Neglected disease of povertyNearly forgotten in the wealthy countries where it has been almost entirely eliminated, rheumatic heart disease remains the most common cardiovascular disease of children and young people in developing countries. It affects over 15 million people around the world and kills hundreds of thousands every year. Africa has the largest number of children with the disease: in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is little access to the treatment that could enable them to survive and lead normal lives, over a million children are estimated to suffer from the debilitating and often fatal condition. African initiative for RHD controlThe World Heart Federation project in Africa is based on a model developed in 2005 by the African medical specialists attending the first All Africa Workshop on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease held by the Pan-African Society of Cardiology in Drakensburg, South Africa. Called the ASAP approach, it calls for a comprehensive strategy based on the pillars of awareness-raising, surveillance, advocacy and prevention. Led by Dr. Bongani Mayosi of University of Cape Town Medical School, the project is already under way. In South Africa, demonstration sites have been set up in the Cape Town townships of Langa and Bonteheuwel, where awareness campaigns are being conducted. It is set to screen over 5,000 school children, identifying heart valve damage by ultrasound scan (echocardiography) with support from the South African Paediatric Society of Cardiology. Support is also provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa. Dr. Abraham Haileamlak coordinates the project in Ethiopia, which is being conducted with Jimma University. Some 150 children with RF/RHD are already being tracked there. The project covers a population of 140,000 people living in Gilgel Gibe. In Ghana, Dr. Albert Amoah is leading a project implemented with the University of Ghana. Three sites have been identified near the capital of Accra and project staff has begun school screenings there. The project in Egypt is led by Dr. Salah Zaher of the University of Alexandria. Focus on preventionThe programme in Africa is similar to the World Heart Federation Pacific Islands RHD control programme launched in 2005. In it, children are screened for heart valve damage and those found to have RHD are provided the monthly penicillin injections that prevent the progression of the disease. This approach of secondary prevention has been identified by the World Health Organization as the most cost-effective way to control RHD in developing countries. Ministries of health have shown their support of the programme, which aims to help governments develop sustainable national RHD control programmes. The World Heart Federation featured the Africa RHD project at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York in October 2006. World Heart Federation leads global RHD controlThe World Heart Federation has also established a global Centre of Excellence for the control of rheumatic heart disease. Meant to be a resource for health practitioners and policy-makers in countries where the disease is still common, the web-based centre makes available tools and training materials developed in its demonstration projects. The centre’s materials can be accessed online at: http://www.worldheart.org/about-sab-councils-acute-rheumatic-fever.php To learn more about rheumatic heart disease and to donate, click here | |||||||
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