In October 2019, we began supporting the clinics for cardiac treatment at the main public hospital in Eritrea, Orotta Medical Surgical National Referral Hospital in Asmara. 

In collaboration with the national ministry of health and the hospital’s staff, we began providing complete, continuous assistance for patients before and after operations at the cardiac clinics. We also set up the first clinic for oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT), which is crucial to improving the continuity of treatment for patients who have artificial heart valves as a result of operations.

Patients will be able to visit the cardiac clinics every day, and every six months a cardiologist from our Salam Centre will do follow-up checks on patients who have had operations in Sudan, and decide whether new patients need cardiac surgery.

The main aim of our project is to further strengthen our assistance and the continuity of our treatment for patients in Eritrea.

Most patients have congenital and valvular illnesses, primarily rheumatic. These are particularly common in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Having been transferred to Sudan, admitted. and received cardiac surgery, we help patients through all the phases of treatment that follow, performing regular post-operative check-ups and providing all the medication required. 

In this article, Luca, Coordinator of the Regional Programme, tells us about EMERGENCY’s first mission in Eritrea, to begin working in the country. 

Another achievement for our Regional Programme in Africa

In early July 2021, we begun a second phase of our support at the Orotta Hospital.

Still Helping with Cardiac Treatment at Orotta Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea.

All our work in Eritrea is made possible by the ‘Emergency initiative to open a cardiac clinic at Orotta Hospital in Eritrea’, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

Programme Data

Outpatients Consultations: 12,592

Patients Visited: 1,865

(Data correct as of June 2022)