Society A Brush with Death: Ethiopia’s Silent Heart Crisis
August 31, 2024
Mekonen Beyene, a 40-year-old taxi driver and a father of three, recently found himself at the edge of life and death. “It was just a regular day when I suddenly felt intense pain in my back and chest,” he recounted. Realizing the severity of the situation, Mekonendrove himself to a nearby clinic.
Upon arrival, the clinic staff quickly assessed him and recognized the gravity of his situation. “They immediately sent me to Black Lion Hospital,” Mekonen recalled. While receiving treatment, he suffered a cardiac arrest. “At that moment, I felt like I was slipping away,” he reflected, still haunted by the memory.
The hospital staff responded swiftly, calling in volunteer doctors from Heart Attack Ethiopia, a humanitarian organization specializing in cardiac care.
“They arrived with an ambulance and took me to the Children’s Heart Fund Ethiopia Center,” Mekonen explained. Meanwhile, his family was plunged into despair, fearing the worst.
The doctors wasted no time, performing emergency surgery. “After hours of uncertainty, I woke up,” Mekonen said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I was given a second chance at life.”
Now, just three days post-surgery, Mekonen is back home with his wife and children. “I can’t express how happy I am to be with my family again,” he said, smiling. “I’m in great condition and plan to return to work soon.”
The health crisis Mekonen faced is part of a growing trend in the country. Cardiovascular diseases have emerged as a significant public health concern, accounting for 16 percent of all fatalities in 2018, according to St. Peter’s specialized hospital. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of addressing these diseases, now recognized as the leading cause of death in the country.
The situation is particularly dire in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia, where over 75 percent of cardiovascular-related deaths occur.
Globally, heart attacks and strokes are responsible for 85 percent of these deaths.
Between July 2017 and June 2021, Saint Peter’s Specialized Hospital reported a staggering 337,810 cases, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) making up 31,346 of those cases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were the most prevalent among the NCDs, accounting for 55 percent of the cases. Hypertension alone was responsible for nearly half (47 percent) of these cases, with ischemic heart disease and heart failure following at 23 and 20 percent respectively.
The data paints a grim picture: the majority of CVD patients were women (56 percent), and most were aged 30 to 64 years (51 percent). Cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 74 percent of CVD-related deaths and 17 percent of all deaths during this period, with deaths peaking in 2017/18 at 59 cases and averaging around 40 deaths annually.
Heart Attack Ethiopia, a humanitarian organization founded by Tesfaye Telila(MD) and AbsinetMered (MD), has embarked on its second medical mission in Ethiopia, providing free heart treatment services. Launched in August 2016, the initiative is held at St. Paul’s Hospital, where over 100 cardiac procedures are expected to be performed in a few weeks.
The mission involves more than 17 health professionals committed to improving patient outcomes. In just 14 months, Heart Attack Ethiopia has provided over USD two million in free treatments, with plans to continue supporting those in need through future missions.
One of the beneficiaries of this initiative is 24-years-oldAderajewWorku, who is on the path to recovery after undergoing cardiovascular surgery almost a week ago at the Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia, thanks to the dedicated volunteer doctors from Heart Attack Ethiopia.
Aderajew, who grew up in a low-income familyin Gondar, faced a challenging journey marked by three years of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Despite his struggles, he remained determined to change his circumstances and pursue his education as a second-year student at Addis Ababa University.
Unfortunately, his family could not be by his side during this critical time due to distance and road closures. Instead, he finds comfort in the company of friends at the center. After experiencing debilitating pain, Aderajew sought treatment at Gondar Hospital, where he received a referral that led him to this life-changing opportunity. Now, with a new lease on life, he is hopeful for the future and eager to continue his studies and aspirations.
From Patient to Healer
Mesfin Yana Dollar, a cardiovascular perfusionist based in the United States, has a story that intertwines two worlds –one of a patient in desperate need and another as a healthcare provider saving lives.
“It has been nearly 24 years since I left my home country at the age of 14 due to a cardiovascular disease caused by a tonsil infection, which affected the left side of my heart,” Mesfin recalls. “At that time, there was a severe shortage of surgeons, and my family, along with our neighbors, endured unimaginable hardship.”
With the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Mesfin was able to travel to the US for life-saving surgery performed by Jim Kawten (MD). “He saved my life,” Mesfin says, reflecting on the profound impact of that experience. In an extraordinary turn of events, he now works alongside Kawten, helping others facing similar challenges.
After completing his education in the US, Mesfin pursued a career in cardiovascular perfusion, a field he has dedicated himself to for nearly 14 years. He is now married with two children, aged 12 and 6.
“As a medical professional, I deeply understand what my patients are going through because I’ve been there myself,” he said. “I comfort them by sharing my story and offering hope.”
Mesfin takes immense pride in his work, particularly in his contributions to Heart Attack Ethiopia. “Together, we have performed over 20 surgeries and plan to do more,” he notes. “It is a joy and an honor to work alongside Kawten here in Ethiopia—an opportunity I never had while in the U.S.”
Currently employed at a clinic in Minnesota, Mesfin offers crucial advice to those suffering from CVD: “Take care of yourselves, listen to your doctors, and be vigilant about tonsillitis—it can be easily treated.”
He also underscores a significant challenge within the healthcare system. He believes there is a pressing need for better collaboration between private and government hospitals. “CVD has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide, so it is essential that we build strong networks between countries and work together.”
Looking ahead, Mesfin expresses a deep desire to continue serving his homeland: “I hope to return to Ethiopia frequently to continue serving my country.”
Absinet, the co-founder of Heart Attack Ethiopia, highlighted the organization’s mission, witha primary focus on providing treatments for patients with cardiac surgery and heart rhythm issues without the need for open-heart procedures. “We are committed to training doctors in Ethiopia and raising awareness about heart attacks,” Absinet said.
She elaborated on the significance of these initiatives, emphasizing that by minimizing invasive procedures and enhancing medical education, Heart Attack Ethiopia aims to improve patient outcomes and foster a deeper understanding of cardiovascular health within the community.
Tesfaye, a CVD specialist based in the United States and the Medical Director of Heart Center Ethiopia, stressed the importance of collaboration in their efforts. “With the support of the Ministry of Health and The Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia, we are making significant strides in addressing cardiovascular diseases,” Mikol said, adding, “there is an urgent need for increased awareness about these conditions, especially since there is currently no Amharic term for this silent killer.”
According to Tesfaye, in lower-income countries like Ethiopia, “young people are particularly vulnerable to CVD, making it imperative for us to focus on raising awareness. Many patients awaiting treatment will greatly benefit from our collective efforts.”
Meheretab Ermias, a representative from the Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia, says the Fund is dedicated to addressing congenital and acquired heart conditions in Ethiopian children.
“To date, we have successfully treated 9,000 patients with cardiovascular diseases and examined 2,000 more. However, there are still 7,500 children awaiting treatment. We have prioritized 100 urgent cases for treatment in collaboration with Heart Attack Ethiopia, but there is still much more work to be done,”Meheretab said.