Challenges with the establishment of congenital cardiac surgery centers in Nigeria: survey of cardiothoracic surgeons and residents

BackgroundThere are gaps in understanding the challenges with the establishment of pediatric cardiac surgical practices in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to examine the prospects and challenges limiting the establishment of pediatric cardiac surgical practices in Nigeria from the perspectives of cardiothoracic surgeons and resident doctors.MethodsA descriptive study was carried out to articulate the views of the cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiothoracic resident doctors in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to generate information from the participants between December 2014 and January 2015. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21 statistical software package.ResultThirty-one of the 51 eligible participants (60.7%) took part in the survey. Twenty-one (67.7%) were specialists/consultants, and 10 (32.3%) were resident doctors in cardiothoracic surgical units. Most of the respondents, 26 (83.9%) acknowledged the enormity of pediatric patients with cardiac problems in Nigeria; however, nearly all such children were referred outside Nigeria for treatment. The dearth of pediatric cardiac surgical centers in Nigeria was attributed to weak health system, absence of skilled manpower, funds, and equipment. Although there was a general consensus on the need for the establishment of open pediatric cardiac surgical centers in the country, their set up mechanisms were not explicit.ConclusionsThe obvious necessity and huge potentials for the establishment of pediatric cardiac centers in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Nevertheless, weakness of the national health system, including human resources remains a daunting challenge. Therefore, local and international partnerships and collaborations with country leadership are strongly advocated to pioneer this noble service.