CARDIOSTART MISSION TO FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE ABUJA (FMC)

ABUJA, NIGERIA, AFRICA • DECEMBER 8-14, 2024

The CardioStart International Board & International Missions Committee is pleased to announce a return Adult Cardiac Mission to the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration which began in November of 2023. Applicants are welcome to apply here. Team selections will be made based on team needs and professional experience. CardioStart balances each team with returning volunteers and those joining a mission for the first time.

The Federal Medical Centre, Abuja was established in June of 2012 and fully commissioned in January 2013 as a project that arose from a China-Africa Cooperation forum, Beijing Summit 2008. The project included building and equipping one comprehensive hospital and four rural primary schools. Today, it is a postgraduate training center with many clinical departments and subspecialities. In collaboration with ACTSON (Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Nigeria) and our friends & colleagues at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH- a long time CardioStart partner), we have been invited to this Center to assist and collaborate with program advancement. Although some singular cardiac surgery initiatives have been undertaken in the past several years, we look forward to partnering with this program for longer term development. The goals of this mission are to assess current needs and capabilities of general adult cardiology and cardiac surgery. At present, this hospital does not have a catheterization laboratory.

Team Positions include:

~~Adult Cardiac Surgeon (2) Filled~~
Mission Coordinator
Adult Anesthesiologist
Adult ICU Nurses (3-4)
Biomedical Engineer
Cardiac Perfusionist

About Abuja: Abuja is the National Capital of Nigeria. It is located centrally in the country about 300 miles northeast of Lagos. It has a cooler climate and less humidity than Lagos. Abuja is home to the Presidential Palace, National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and National Arboretum. Attractions include Millennium Park, the National Children’s Park and Zoo. The Niger River flows southwest of Abuja. Population estimates as of 2024 is 4.02 million, placing it behind only Lagos as the most populous metro area in Nigeria.

The GDP spent on healthcare is under 5% per year. A moratorium to increase to 15% has not been met. This impacts the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease to later stage illness. Untreated hypertension is the leading cause of heart failure. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Nigeria. Factors contributing include tobacco use, alcohol, diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution.

Health & Safety: Malaria is a problem in certain regions of Nigeria. Although the city is not typically a higher-risk location, malaria prophylaxis may be recommended by your physician. You will be expected to assess your immunization needs through a travel clinic or utilizing the resources on CDC.gov.

Travel advisory level 3 (Orange) Reconsider Travel per travel.state.gov.

U.S. Embassy Abuja: 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja

+(234) (0) (9) 461-4328 (M-R) 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Friday 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM Emergency: +(234) (0) )9) 461-4000 Email: abujaACS@state.gov.

Funding: We are grateful that this mission is supported by a generous grant from Edward Lifesciences Foundation “Every Heartbeat Matters” initiative to improve the lives of 2.5 million additional underserved structural heart and critical care patients by the end of 2025.

Accommodations will be paid and there is funding to help offset the cost of international flights. These costs will be reimbursed after the mission.

How to apply: To be considered for this mission team position please click here to apply. You will be informed of your acceptance to the team with a formal Acceptance Letter. It is at that time; you will be expected to produce required documents. DO NOT purchase flights or VISA until your documents are complete.

Mission Director: Dr. Emily Farkas, CardioStart Board Director