Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Zambia

Main Pediatric Cardiology Centers in Zambia

Lusaka is the main city providing pediatric cardiology care in Zambia, with the following major hospitals:

• National Heart Hospital Zambia’s main referral site for pediatric cardiac care and surgery, now equipped with improved technology and staff trained through international partnership programs.

• University Teaching Hospital (UTH): Hosts most specialized consultations, follow-up care, and oversees the pediatric heart patient waiting list.

Top pediatric cardiac surgeons in Zambia:

• Dr. Mudaniso Kumani Ziwa: Zambia’s leading pediatric cardiac surgeon, trained with SACH in Israel, now returns to lead pediatric cardiac cases at NHH.

• International medical teams and organizations remain essential for major operations, with Zambia’s own pool of specialists gradually expanding.

Costs of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Zambia

The average surgery cost range in Zambia looks like this:

• Standard pediatric cardiac surgery: ~$3,020

• Consultation/hospital evaluation: ~$2,980

• Expert surgeon fee can go up to $55,000+ (reflects medical missions, private care, and variability)

Treatment Considerations for Zambians

• Most Zambian children requiring heart surgery join waiting lists at NHH or UTH; cases are triaged for treatment by local teams or medical missions. India becomes a faster treatment destination in such cases.

• Philanthropic organizations and initiatives such as Save a Child’s Heart are vital in subsidizing costs, expanding national capacity, and training Zambian doctors.

• Highly complex or urgent cases may be recommended for referral abroad, with costs generally prohibitive for most families unless grants or charity support are available.