From 22 to 26 September 2025, Lady Pohamba Private Hospital proudly joined forces with Windhoek Central Hospital, the Newcastle team and the Healing Hearts Global Foundation in a remarkable Congenital Heart Surgery Campaign. This initiative was not only about saving lives but also about transferring critical knowledge and skills to strengthen local expertise in the care and management of congenital heart disease.

Representing Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, a team of five dedicated professionals from the Neonatal Unit and training department including Nurses Sr Lovisa Hetwali, Sr Enata Amadhila, Sr Annastasia Shetunyenga, Sr Paula Leinhold and Mr Edward Shadingano, together with Clinical Facilitator Sr Beatrice Shikongo, worked closely with the cardiac and intensive care teams at Windhoek Central Hospital. Their active participation created opportunities for hands on learning, collaboration and a deeper understanding of the surgical treatment pathways for children with congenital heart disease.

With the support of the Healing Hearts Global Foundation and leading paediatric congenital cardiologist, Dr Fenny Shidhika, nine patients consisting of eight children and one adult with congenital conditions received life saving surgery during the campaign. These procedures addressed a variety of complex conditions such as ventricular septal defects and obstructive lesions within the Tetralogy of Fallot spectrum. Each successful surgery brought renewed hope to patients and their families while highlighting the power of partnership and capacity building in healthcare.

Namibia continues to face a significant burden of congenital heart disease. The incidence is higher than the global average of one in every one hundred live births. Windhoek Central Hospital alone sees approximately two thousand congenital heart disease patients every year according to the Windhoek Observer of 2025. Campaigns such as this one play an important role in reducing the number of children waiting for surgery and in turn lowering the risk of morbidity and mortality.

For the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital team, the weeklong campaign was a truly transformative experience. It was an opportunity to witness the resilience of young patients, the dedication of surgical and nursing teams and the profound impact of international collaboration. More than a clinical exercise, it was a celebration of shared learning, compassion and hope for a healthier future for Namibian children.