In a brightly lit intensive care unit at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, three-year-old Gracious Chikova lay quietly, tubes trailing from her bandaged chest. Just a day before, surgeons had opened her tiny heart, repairing a defect that threatened her young life. Now, as she sipped water from a syringe, her mother, Vimbainashe Chakanungwa, hovered anxiously by her bedside—her relief and gratitude palpable.
For Chakanungwa, a teacher earning about $300 a month, the thought of accessing life-saving heart surgery for her daughter once seemed impossible. "I had given up. Those with money have been taking their children to India for surgery, but I simply couldn’t afford it," she said, her voice tinged with emotion as she helped Gracious drink. The cost of such surgery abroad can soar to $15,000—a sum far beyond the reach of most Zimbabwean families.
But in July 2025, hope arrived in the form of a visiting team of Egyptian surgeons, who, together with Zimbabwean doctors, performed free open-heart surgeries on ten children at Parirenyatwa Hospital. According to the Associated Press, this collaborative effort was part of a broader initiative to address Zimbabwe’s dire shortage of pediatric cardiac care—a crisis that leaves thousands of families in despair each year.
The scale of the problem is staggering. Dr. Simukayi Machawira, head of cardiology at Parirenyatwa Hospital, explained, "About 4,500 children are born with congenital heart disease annually in Zimbabwe. Of these, 30%—around 1,200 infants—are likely to die in their first year if untreated." The statistics are sobering, painting a picture of heartbreak and urgency for families across the nation.
Zimbabwe’s public health system faces enormous challenges. Years of economic turmoil have left hospitals short on functioning equipment and skilled personnel. The country has only five cardiothoracic surgeons, including Dr. Kudzai Kanyepi, Zimbabwe’s first and only female heart surgeon. "There is no medication that can replace surgery. The burden of disease remains, and unfortunately some of the children pass away without getting the help they desperately need," Dr. Kanyepi told the Associated Press. "It is the reason why we continue to work in our country. There is nothing greater than helping your own people."
Open-heart operations in Zimbabwe were suspended in 2018 as the nation’s economy faltered, but in 2023, the program was revived. Since then, local surgeons have performed operations on 55 children—a remarkable achievement in the face of adversity. Yet, the need far outpaces the available resources.
To bridge this gap, international partnerships have become essential. In addition to the July 2025 "heart camp," two similar surgical camps were held in the past year, benefiting 19 children with the support of non-governmental organizations such as Gift of Life International. The visiting Egyptian team, led by Dr. Hesham Shawky, has brought expertise and hope not only to Zimbabwe but also to other African countries facing similar challenges. "This is the only solution for many people in Africa because they can’t afford private care," Dr. Shawky explained, reflecting on the dire circumstances that force families to seek help far from home—or go without.
On the hospital ward, the atmosphere was a mix of exhaustion and joy. Mothers hovered over their children, their faces etched with relief after days—sometimes years—of uncertainty. Machines beeped softly as nurses monitored vital signs and adjusted tubes. One baby, now out of danger, slept beside a balloon decorated with a smiley face—a small symbol of hope in a place where hope can be scarce.
For Chakanungwa and her daughter, the experience was nothing short of miraculous. "I had resorted to prayer, just hoping for a miracle," she said, her smile wide and genuine. "It’s impossible to open my heart to show my gratitude and happiness. I was afraid that I could lose my baby, but here is the baby. She’s back to life." Her words echo the sentiments of countless parents in Zimbabwe and across Africa, where access to specialized medical care is often a matter of luck and circumstance.
Globally, congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, affecting about one in every 100 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In wealthier countries, most children born with heart defects can expect to receive timely treatment. But in Zimbabwe, the odds are far less favorable. With just a handful of specialists and limited resources, many children never get the chance for surgery.
The cost barrier is particularly daunting. For families like the Chikanungwas, even the notion of raising $15,000 for surgery abroad is out of reach. As Dr. Machawira noted, "You can imagine, it’s quite a lot of children." The reality is that most Zimbabwean families must rely on sporadic opportunities—like the recent heart camps—to access life-saving care.
The international medical team’s work in Zimbabwe is part of a growing trend across Africa, where visiting surgeons from Egypt and other countries collaborate with local doctors to perform complex operations. Dr. Shawky, the Egyptian team leader, has organized similar camps in Kenya and Uganda, bringing both skill and compassion to communities in need. These partnerships not only save lives but also provide invaluable training for local medical personnel, helping to build capacity for the future.
For Zimbabwe’s small cadre of cardiothoracic surgeons, the work is both a calling and a challenge. Dr. Kanyepi’s commitment to serving her country is emblematic of the dedication seen among Zimbabwean healthcare professionals. Despite resource shortages and overwhelming demand, they persist—motivated by the knowledge that their efforts make the difference between life and death for hundreds of children each year.
Non-governmental organizations like Gift of Life International play a vital role as well, providing funding, logistical support, and advocacy to ensure that heart camps can take place. Their involvement, along with the expertise of international medical teams, has brought a measure of hope to families who once faced only despair.
As Gracious Chikova continues her recovery, her story stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and compassion. For her mother, the outcome is a dream realized—a future for her daughter that once seemed out of reach. The wider impact, however, is felt across Zimbabwe, where each successful surgery represents not just a saved life, but a renewed sense of possibility for a nation determined to overcome its challenges.
In the softly humming corridors of Parirenyatwa Hospital, the beeping of monitors and the quiet conversations of nurses and families signal a fragile but growing hope. For Zimbabwe’s children with congenital heart disease, and their families, the recent heart camp was more than a medical intervention—it was a lifeline, and a promise that, even in the toughest circumstances, miracles can still happen.
