›› Specialised Clinic in cardiac surgery

 Specialised Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Clinic in Bou Ismail Mohammed Othman Talba

About the clinic

In accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree 69/05 of February 2005, which defines the forms of social activities of social security institutions, and the decision of 1 January 2006, which defines the conditions for the establishment, organisation, supervision and financing of structures and pharmacies responsible for the social health activities of social security institutions. he Directorate of Health and Social Activities has approved specialised clinics for the benefit of those covered by social insurance and their dependents.

This structure is responsible for medical surgery for children with congenital heart disease. This falls within the framework of the general social security policy aimed at controlling health expenditures on the one hand and contributing to the state’s health efforts on the other hand. Within the framework of its assigned tasks, these structures, in cooperation with the relevant sectors, train health workers in accordance with applicable regulations.

This structure is responsible for medical surgery for children with congenital heart disease. This falls within the framework of the general social security policy aimed at controlling health expenditures on the one hand and contributing to the state’s health efforts on the other. Within the framework of its assigned tasks, these structures, in cooperation with the relevant sectors, train health workers in accordance with applicable regulations.

Established in 1976, it was accredited as a university clinic in 1981 and offers three services:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Functional Rehabilitation

Following studies that demonstrated the high cost of healthcare for congenital heart disease, which is the primary reason for patients being transferred abroad for treatment, the reason why, the clinic’s activities shifted in 1984 to care for these illnesses, adding them to the list of illnesses previously treated. Currently, the care has expanded from circulatory exploration to closed-heart surgery, and from there to interventional catheterization, and has progressed to more complex procedures. The staff have benefited from training abroad under agreements concluded with France and Belgium.

Clinic Capacity

The clinic’s capacity is estimated at approximately 80 beds, designed to receive children with congenital heart defects. It includes three (03) medical services specialized in pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and recovery, equipped with modern technical means.

Exploration Unit

• Ultrasound Doppler Imaging
• Cardiac Catheterization Room

Surgical Unit

• Two (02) Surgical Procedure Suites
• Open-Heart Surgery Suite (Heavy Surgery)
• Closed-Heart Surgery Suite

Radiology Unit

• Two (02) Radiology Tables
• Three (03) Mobile Radiology Units

Laboratory Unit

• Central Laboratory
• Blood Transfusion Station
• Central Pharmacy
• Dental Surgery Unit
• Central Sterilization Unit
• Dietary Regulation Service

Types of Surgical Interventions

Several types of surgical interventions are performed, both on open-heart and closed-heart surgery. Other surgical procedures performed via catheterization:

• Diagnostic Catheterization
• Interventional Catheterization

Curative Procedures: These work to achieve a complete and final recovery for the child.

Pain-Relief Procedures: These work to overcome the danger zone, after which the child is reoperated under optimal conditions. These are two procedures performed in two stages.

Tasks of the clinic

The daily, uninterrupted activities provide fertile ground for developing skills in the field of medical examination:

• Surgical medical care for hereditary heart diseases
• University formation and scientific research. The daily activities provide a fertile ground for acquiring skills in the field of medical exploration.