Cardiological support in Eritrea
Eritrea - Asmara - Mendefera
Support to Outpatient Clinics for Cardiac Patients in Asmara and Mendefera
In October 2019, we began supporting clinics for cardiac care at the main public hospital in Eritrea, the Orotta Medical Surgical National Referral Hospital in Asmara.
In collaboration with the local Ministry of Health and the hospital’s staff, we launched Cardiology Outpatient Clinics to provide comprehensive and continuous care for patients before and after surgery. 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 surgical operations.
Patients can access the cardiology clinics every day. Every six months, a cardiologist from our Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery performs follow-ups on patients who have undergone operations in Sudan, and assesses new patients’ surgical needs.
The main aim of our project is to further strengthen our assistance and the continuity of our treatment for patients in Eritrea.
The Oral Anticoagulant Therapy Clinic at Mendefera Referral Hospital
Since March 2025, an Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (OAT) Clinic has been operating at the Mendefera Referral Hospital in Eritrea’s Southern Region, known as Zoba Debub. Local medical staff, trained by EMERGENCY, provide assistance and care to patients who need anticoagulant therapy in an area where access to these services is otherwise impossible.
A team from EMERGENCY carries out regular missions to provide ongoing training to local medical staff, equipping them with the skills needed to provide quality medical care.
The Regional Programme for Cardiac Surgery
Eritrea is one of 30 countries participating in our Regional Programme for Cardiac Surgery — part of the African Network of Medical Excellence, a collaboration between African authorities to expand access to high-quality care on the continent and respond to regional health needs — which enables adult and paediatric patients to travel to Khartoum for cardiac surgery, completely free of charge.
Many of these patients suffer from congenital and valvular heart conditions, mostly caused by rheumatic heart disease, which is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa.
After their transfer, hospitalisation and surgery in Sudan, we provide assistance throughout all post-operative stages of care, ensuring that each patient receives regular follow-ups and the necessary medication, even after returning to their country of residence.
All our activities in Eritrea are made possible thanks to the project “Strengthening free health services for heart patients at the Orotta hospitals in Asmara and Mendefera in the Debub Region”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
