A heart that beats strong is the foundation of a life filled with possibility. It’s the pulse behind every step, every breath, and every moment of joy. When that rhythm falters, everything can feel uncertain. Yet, the truth is that a healthy heart is not a distant dream, it’s a reality that can be nurtured through care, knowledge, and the right support.
Dr. Peter Kisenge and the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) are on a mission to make this reality accessible to everyone. With a commitment to providing world-class cardiac care, Dr. Peter has led the Institute to become a leader in heart health, offering advanced treatments and expanding access to care across Tanzania and beyond.
Putting JKCI on the Global Map
When Dr. Peter assumed the role of Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in 2022, he had a clear and bold vision: to position JKCI as the preferred destination for cardiovascular care in Africa. His goal was not just to elevate the institute’s reputation locally, but to ensure that JKCI would be recognized globally for its excellence, innovation, and impact in cardiac care.
A Journey of Remarkable Growth
Since its inauguration, JKCI has undergone a transformative evolution, the cornerstone being from 2021 under the leadership of Dr. Peter. One of the most significant milestones he takes pride in is the exponential increase in the number and complexity of procedures performed at the institute. In 2015, JKCI conducted around 330 catheterization and open-heart procedures annually. Today, that number has surged to over 3,000 catheterization procedures each year, including advanced interventions such as Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).
In the realm of open-heart surgeries, the progress has been equally impressive. From just 240 surgeries annually, JKCI now performs over 800, including highly specialized operations such as Ozaki procedures and Truncus repairs—procedures currently exclusive to JKCI in the entire East African region.
Trust Built on Excellence
Dr. Peter also highlights the dramatic growth in outpatient services as a reflection of JKCI’s rising credibility and impact. From seeing 300 patients a day in 2021, the institute now serves over 1,100 outpatients daily, making it the busiest cardiac center in East and Sub-Saharan Africa. This growing number not only underscores the public’s trust in JKCI but also attests to the high-quality care, efficiency, and compassion with which the team delivers its services.
Through this patient-centric approach and consistent pursuit of excellence, Dr. Peter continues to lead JKCI toward new heights, shaping it into a beacon of hope for cardiac patients across Africa and beyond.
The JKCI Legacy in Motion
Dr. Peter has long envisioned transforming the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) into a chain of specialized cardiac hospitals—both within Tanzania and across Africa—to bridge the gap between the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases and access to quality cardiac care. As a step toward realizing this dream, JKCI has successfully launched three new branches in Dar es Salaam, strategically located in Mbezi Beach (Kawe), Oyster Bay, and Tazara (Dar Group branch) near the airport. These expansions are designed to bring advanced cardiac services closer to the communities that need them most.
Looking ahead, Dr. Peter reveals ambitious plans to further expand JKCI’s reach by opening new branches in Chato, Geita, Arusha, and even the Comoros Islands—cementing JKCI’s commitment to accessibility and regional impact.
A Continental Beacon of Excellence
Under Dr. Peter’s leadership, JKCI has garnered continental recognition for its outstanding clinical outcomes, advanced procedural capabilities, and world-class patient care. Its reputation now extends well beyond Tanzania, attracting patients from across Africa and evolving into a mentoring institution for emerging cardiac centers.
Today, JKCI supports and guides several national cardiac programs, including the Zambia National Heart Hospital, King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda, Queen Elizabeth and Kamuzu Hospitals in Malawi, and Elmaarouf Hospital in the Comoros. In a remarkable milestone, JKCI is also contributing to the establishment of Burkina Faso’s first heart center. Furthermore, the institute’s expert cardiac team has conducted missions in Malawi, Comoros, Cameroon, and Kenya—sharing their expertise and extending care to communities in need.
Raising the Standard of Cardiac Care Across Africa
One of Dr. Peter’s early priorities as Executive Director was to enhance JKCI’s Quality Assurance and Clinical Audit systems. This focus on quality quickly bore fruit when JKCI’s fully automated laboratory achieved ISO 15189:2012 accreditation—a prestigious recognition of its commitment to high laboratory standards and reliable diagnostic services.
The institute’s journey toward excellence doesn’t stop there. JKCI is now 75% along the path to securing accreditation from Accreditation Canada, a testament to its unwavering dedication to quality improvement, patient safety, and international best practices.
Through strategic expansion, cross-border collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of quality, Dr. Peter is reshaping JKCI into a continental leader in cardiovascular care—bringing hope, healing, and heart to thousands across Africa.
Expanding Horizons for Heart Health Care
Under Dr. Peter’s direction, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has significantly expanded its infrastructure to accommodate growing patient needs. Since 2015, the Institute’s bed capacity has nearly doubled—from just 148 beds to 268. This growth has been driven by the expansion of JKCI’s international and private ward wings, as well as the extension of services to the Dar Group branch. The enhanced capacity allows JKCI to serve more patients efficiently while maintaining a high standard of specialized cardiac care.
The Birth of Heart Team Africa Foundation
Recognizing the need for broader support in cardiac care, Dr. Peter led the establishment of the Heart Team Africa Foundation in 2024, a registered non-governmental organization aimed at complementing JKCI’s core pillars: treatment, research, and training. With a strong focus on pediatric heart conditions, the foundation has already raised over 3 billion Tanzanian Shillings in its first year. These funds have been channeled back to the Institute to finance life-saving surgeries for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Dr. Peter emphasizes that the foundation’s mission goes beyond Tanzania—striving to offer a lifeline to children across Africa who are affected by congenital and acquired heart diseases but lack access to treatment.
Building East Africa’s Premier Heart Team
What truly sets JKCI apart as a regional hub for cardiovascular excellence, according to Dr. Peter, is its unparalleled Human Resource for Health. The Institute boasts one of the strongest heart teams in East Africa, with a remarkable pool of 93 super specialists including interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, intensivists, electrophysiologists, and cardiac anesthesiologists.
Supporting this elite team are 50 medical doctors, 260 cardiovascular nurses, and over 360 other professionals who contribute to the seamless delivery of patient care. What makes this team exceptional is its global training pedigree—its members have honed their skills in prestigious institutions across the USA, Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Israel. This diversity of knowledge and international best practices contributes to JKCI’s rising status as a continental leader in comprehensive and compassionate cardiac care.
Leading the Region in Cardiac Procedure Volume and Complexity
Under Dr. Peter’s leadership, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has reached a level of clinical activity unmatched by any other standalone cardiac center in East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Institute has performed over 13,000 interventional procedures in its Catheterization Laboratory and 578 electrophysiology procedures, in addition to more than 2,800 open-heart surgeries. These numbers not only reflect scale but also the Institute’s expanding capabilities and excellence.
Beyond volume, the range and complexity of procedures performed at JKCI also distinguish it from its peers. While many centers focus on simpler procedures like Coronary Angiography (CAG) or basic TOF/VSD repairs, JKCI is a pioneer in East Africa for advanced interventions. These include Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Atrial Fibrillation, Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO), and Pacemaker Insertions (PCI). On the surgical side, Mitral Valve Replacement, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Ozaki, and Truncus Repair are examples of procedures either first performed or still exclusively offered in Tanzania by JKCI. Remarkably, the Institute has developed the capacity to perform these complex surgeries even on newborns, showcasing the evolution of its clinical team.
Revolutionizing Cardiac Care with Cutting-Edge Technology
Dr. Peter credits much of JKCI’s success to the strong support and strategic investment from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, under the leadership of Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. Thanks to this support, JKCI is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure including two Cath Labs (one integrated with a 3D electrophysiology mapping system), three modern operating theatres (including one dedicated to paediatrics), advanced heart-lung machines, AI-guided anesthesia and diagnostic machines, and a fully automated laboratory. The Institute also has 20 pediatric ICU beds, modern dialysis capabilities, and digital monitoring systems that patients can even use post-discharge. This comprehensive technological ecosystem strengthens JKCI’s position as a leader in cardiac care innovation across the region.
Bridging Borders in Cardiac Care
JKCI’s excellence has earned it the trust of over 600 international patients annually, coming from a wide range of countries including Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Congo, China, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, USA, India, Britain, UAE, Burundi, and France. These patients include foreign residents, medical tourists, and even international travelers who face cardiac emergencies while visiting Tanzania. Dr. Peter emphasizes the Institute’s ability to deliver life-saving interventions for these patients, reinforcing its role in not only national but global health security.
The Institute’s work has also attracted over 20 international collaborators from countries such as Israel, USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Italy, and the UAE. These partnerships support both local and cross-border missions. Notably, JKCI has conducted two international missions to Zambia and Rwanda in partnership with Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) and another to Cameroon with Mending Kids. Collaborators like Emirates Red Crescent and Una Voce per Padre Pio even bring foreign children from different parts of Africa to JKCI for complex heart surgeries—further solidifying JKCI’s leadership and impact in cardiac care across the continent.
Transforming Patient Outcomes
According to Dr. Peter, the impact of JKCI’s world-class facilities—including the Biplane Cath Lab and ultra-modern operating theaters—has been transformative for patient care. The Institute’s ability to achieve its many milestones would not have been possible without the integration of cutting-edge medical technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure. These facilities enable JKCI to perform complex procedures on neonates, support low mortality rates, and maintain a high surgical success rate. Moreover, the caliber of these facilities plays a crucial role in attracting international patients, further establishing JKCI as a trusted and preferred destination for cardiac care in Africa. Dr. Peter attributes much of this progress to the strategic investments made by the Tanzanian Government, especially under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
A Heart Team Built on Global Expertise
JKCI’s medical excellence is also rooted in the diversity and expertise of its cardiac specialists. Dr. Peter explains that the Institute’s Heart Team, composed of professionals trained across the USA, Russia, China, India, South Africa, Israel, and more, brings a broad spectrum of global medical perspectives and techniques. This diversity has been a key driver in maintaining international standards of cardiac care. The varied training backgrounds allow for cross-pollination of ideas and methods, ensuring that JKCI remains aligned with global best practices in both adult and pediatric cardiology.
A Vision for Seamless Care
To manage the high patient volume—over 1,100 patients daily—Dr. Peter has implemented a series of strategic initiatives to uphold both efficiency and quality of care.
- First, the expansion of the Institute has been crucial. JKCI now operates four centers across Dar es Salaam, a move that effectively decentralizes patient flow, reduces congestion, and ensures that cardiologists manage fewer patients per location, enhancing personalized care.
- Second, Dr. Peter prioritized the strengthening of JKCI’s Quality Assurance and Clinical Audit Unit, which is responsible for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in patient care and rigorously monitoring their implementation to maintain consistency and accountability.
- Finally, there is a strong emphasis on continuous professional development. Specialists are sponsored and encouraged to attend global trainings, congresses, and seminars, ensuring they remain at the forefront of medical advancements. JKCI cardiologists regularly participate in scientific gatherings held by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), helping to reinforce and elevate the standard of care across the Institute.
Inclusive and Equitable Care for All Patient Categories
At the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), patient care is guided by a commitment to equity, access, and excellence. As Dr. Peter explains, 70% of JKCI’s patients are covered through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), while 23% pay out of pocket or are supported by private insurance providers. The remaining 7% of patients are exempted, either through national health policy or because they are unable to afford care. Despite the varying payment methods, JKCI offers world-class services to all patients without compromise. For international and privately insured patients, the Institute provides dedicated private lounges and specialized service wings, designed to offer comfort, convenience, and discretion to meet their specific needs. This inclusive approach reflects JKCI’s vision of making advanced cardiac care accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Overcoming Hurdles to Sustain Top-Tier Cardiac Care
While JKCI has made tremendous strides, it is not without challenges. Dr. Peter notes ongoing issues such as limited human resources to meet growing patient demand, the high cost of cardiac consumables, and supply chain difficulties, especially given JKCI’s unique position as the only standalone cardiac center in Tanzania. Furthermore, the presence of patients who cannot afford cardiac procedures adds pressure to the Institute’s operations. To address these challenges, JKCI has:
- Established the Heart Team Africa Foundation, a platform aimed at supporting financially disadvantaged patients and advancing cardiac health initiatives.
- Invested in training programs to enhance the capacity and capability of its workforce.
- Strengthened collaborations with international partners, who assist with skills transfer, knowledge sharing, and support for patient care.
These efforts ensure that JKCI continues to deliver high-quality cardiac care despite systemic challenges.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Cardiac Specialists
JKCI plays a pivotal role in the training and development of the next generation of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Tanzania. The Institute is an affiliated college of the University of Dar es Salaam, one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious universities, and offers a range of competency-based short- and long-term cardiovascular courses. Plans are also underway to launch Master’s degree programs in Interventional Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, further solidifying JKCI’s role in medical education.
In addition, JKCI serves as the sole university teaching hospital for all cardiologists and cardiac surgeons undergoing training at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). The Institute has also partnered with the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to offer fellowships in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Complementing these academic initiatives, JKCI hosts annual international scientific conferences under the brand CARDIO TAN (Cardiology Tanzania). These conferences have become a regional hub for knowledge exchange, contributing significantly to advancing cardiovascular science and clinical practice in Africa.
Fueling Cardiovascular Discovery and Evidence-Based Progress
At the heart of JKCI’s mission is a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The Institute has already published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific articles, contributing meaningfully to the regional and global understanding of cardiovascular diseases. As Dr. Peter highlights, the current focus is on enhancing JKCI’s databases on common cardiovascular conditions, which will serve as vital tools for both clinical research and national policy formulation. Looking ahead, JKCI is preparing to enter a new phase of clinical trials and donor-funded research projects, signaling its growing commitment to evidence-based practices and medical advancement.
Expanding JKCI Roots Across Africa
When envisioning JKCI’s future over the next five to ten years, Dr. Peter projects substantial expansion across all operational dimensions. This includes broadening JKCI’s physical presence across regions in Tanzania and establishing a footprint in other African countries. The goal is not only to bring cardiac care closer to underserved populations but also to position JKCI as a regional leader in cardiovascular healthcare, education, and innovation.
From Prevention to Intervention
Dr. Peter delivers a powerful message to the people of Tanzania and East Africa: as the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to rise, preventive measures must become a collective priority. He emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, physical activity, and routine health checks. “We must all aspire to know our numbers,” he urges—specifically referring to critical health indicators such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure. By promoting awareness and early detection, JKCI seeks to empower individuals to take control of their heart health—a mission that is as vital as the advanced cardiac interventions the Institute performs daily.
