Douala General Hospital performs Cameroon’s first TAVI procedure.

The historic procedure was made possible through a strategic partnership between the hospital and HeartBeat International, a network of Cameroonian cardiology and surgical experts based in Germany, who are committed to transferring advanced medical expertise to Cameroon.

The achievement was highlighted during a press conference held on Friday, March 13, at the end of a week-long cardiac surgery campaign that ran from March 9 to 15 at the hospital.

Modern alternative to open-heart surgery

Medical specialists explained that the TAVI procedure is used to treat Aortic Stenosis, a serious heart condition in which the aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.

Unlike conventional open-heart surgery, which requires opening the chest, TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure. Doctors insert a replacement valve through an artery, usually in the groin, and guide it to the heart where it is positioned over the damaged valve.

Cardiologists say the technique is particularly beneficial for elderly or fragile patients who may not be strong enough to undergo traditional surgery. It also reduces hospitalisation time and enables faster recovery since it eliminates the need for a heart-lung bypass machine.

Specialists noted that the procedure normally costs between 20 million FCFA and 30 million FCFA in Europe and the United States. However, it will now be available at a subsidised cost at Douala General Hospital, making the treatment more accessible to patients in Cameroon.

Diaspora specialists bring expertise home

The surgical team was led by Siemeni Thierry, alongside other members of HeartBeat International. Although the organisation is based in Germany, it is composed entirely of Cameroonian-born specialists determined to contribute to the development of healthcare in their home country.

“HeartBeat is 100 percent Cameroonian,” Dr Siemeni explained during the press conference. 

“We are people born and raised here who went abroad to specialise. Our objective is to bring high-level medicine back to Cameroon so that our population can benefit from it without travelling to France, India or Germany,” he added. 

Another member of the team, Sabi Titus, said the initiative seeks to strengthen the country’s healthcare system by introducing advanced cardiac procedures locally.

He explained that patients often face enormous costs when seeking treatment abroad.

“Valve replacement surgeries can exceed 20 million FCFA, while bypass operations can reach up to 40 million FCFA. By bringing this expertise from Germany to Cameroon, we aim to provide high-quality treatment locally, while reducing the financial burden on patients,” Dr Sabi stated.

He added that minimally invasive techniques such as TAVI also improve patient comfort and allow quicker recovery, with some patients able to leave the hospital the same day.

Leadership and training component

The Director General of Douala General Hospital, Prof Henry Luma, played a key role in facilitating the collaboration between the hospital and the diaspora specialists. Hospital authorities said his leadership was instrumental in turning the initiative from a concept into reality.

For beneficiaries like patient, Enow Phillipe, the success of the mission is deeply personal.

“For now, I’m very fine. I don’t have any difficulties. I thank Almighty God and the doctors who did their best for me,” he said after undergoing the procedure. 

Towards a regional cardiac centre

Beyond individual success stories, the initiative is expected to have far-reaching impact. By offering advanced cardiac procedures locally, experts say, Cameroon can significantly reduce the costs families and the state incur when patients travel abroad for treatment.

The mission also includes training local medical staff. It was HeartBeat International’s third medical mission to Douala, following its initial intervention in February 2025.

According to the team, the long-term goal is to establish a fully functional and independent cardiothoracic unit at Douala General Hospital, capable of serving patients from across Central Africa.

Medical experts suggest that the success of the first TAVI procedure positions Cameroon as an emerging hub for specialised healthcare in the region, provided sustained institutional and government support continues.

This article article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3735 of Wednesday March 18, 2026