As part of its 2025 programme, the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, in cooperation with the Egyptian-African Society of Cardiology and the Friends of the National Heart Institute, organised six training courses for cardiologists in the United Republic of Tanzania. The courses were held at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute at Muhimbili Hospital from 21 to 24 August.
Ambassador Mohannad Saleh Lajouzi, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Director-General of the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, attended the opening ceremony on behalf of His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. He also took part in the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, where the courses were conducted, and witnessed the inauguration of the Sports Cardiology Unit, established to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death among athletes.
In his address, Ambassador Lajouzi conveyed the greetings and congratulations of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States to the participants. He reaffirmed the Secretary-General's support for the Fund's initiatives aimed at training African professionals in various fields, particularly medicine. He noted that these courses form part of the Fund's 2025 technical assistance programme for specialised health personnel. His Excellency further congratulated senior officials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Health present at the ceremony, including the Chairman of the CAF Medical Committee, the FIFA Representative in Tanzania, and the President of the Institute, on the institute's tenth anniversary, which has established it as one of East Africa's leading medical institutions.
Counsellor Amr Selim also attended the opening ceremony, representing His Excellency Ambassador Sherif Ismail, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Republic of Tanzania. Delivering a speech on behalf of His Excellency, he highlighted the strength of Tanzanian-Egyptian relations, welcomed the Arab Fund's initiative to train Tanzanian cardiologists, and expressed gratitude to the Egyptian doctors participating in the programme.
The Fund's partners likewise expressed their appreciation for the participation of the League of Arab States, represented by the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, in this initiative, which contributes to enhancing the skills of Tanzanian cardiologists. They voiced their hope for continued cooperation in supporting and sustaining the new department.
Alongside the training courses, the delegated experts conducted cardiac examinations for members of the youth football team to ensure their heart health, and presented a number of cardiac medications to the institute as a symbolic gift.
At the close of the ceremony, on behalf of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Lajouzi presented a commemorative shield to the President of the Institute.
