International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 12/mar/2024;37:e20240002.

Challenges and Perspectives for Cardiology in the Developing World: Joint Views from Africa and Latin America

Mauer A. A. Gonçalves , Humberto Morais , Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira , Cláudio Tinoco Mesquita

DOI: 10.36660/ijcs.20240002

How to face challenges and promote improvements?

In 2017, a survey revealed that 18% of the 33 participating African countries had no registered cardiologists.^, Across Africa, there are approximately 2000 registered cardiologists for a population of 1.2 billion inhabitants. There is a scarcity of cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology services, with around 22 cardiothoracic centers in Africa, and 30% of African countries lack artificial cardiac stimulation therapies and cardiac electrophysiology.^– The lack of qualified human resources is a critical obstacle. The region faces a shortage of health professionals equipped to handle CVD. The specialized training process is lengthy and inadequate, contributing to this gap.^, Compared to Africa, Latin America has a great number of estimated cardiologists: 25000 to 30000. According to the 2023 Brazilian Medical Demographics study, the cardiology field has 20324 licensed professionals. Angola, an African low- to middle-income country with an estimated population of 34.0 million inhabitants, has made notable efforts in training specialists in cardiology and cardiac surgery. There are currently around 100 registered cardiologists, including 4 interventional cardiologists and 5 cardiologists who autonomously implant cardiac stimulation devices. There are also 10 cardiac surgeons, all of whom were trained abroad.

Reducing the burden of CVD in Latin America and Africa requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses various factors. For instance, collaboration with middle- and high-income countries plays a crucial role in establishing specialized centers and training professionals. However, the sustainability of these centers is challenged by economic fluctuations and political instabilities, affecting the continuity of these services.^, Inclusive health policies are crucial to ensure equitable access to medical services and medications for CVD. Expanding health insurance coverage and providing accessible therapies are fundamental steps in this direction. Partnerships between countries, both North-South and South-South, are essential to strengthen specialized workforces and improve cardiovascular care.^,,

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