Cardiovascular medicine in primary healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: Minimum standards for practice (part 1)

Gboyega Ogunbanjo; Ntobeko A B Ntusi

doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i1.10372

Continuing Medical Education

Cardiovascular medicine in primary healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: Minimum standards for practice (part 1)

Gboyega Ogunbanjo, Ntobeko A B Ntusi

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for approximately
30% of deaths worldwide, with 80% of this
CVD burden occurring in developing countries. The
epidemiological transition occurring in sub-Saharan
Africa (SSA) has the consequence of economic and
social transformation, resulting in dramatic shifts in the disease spectrum
from communicable diseases and malnutrition to CVD and cancer.

Authors' affiliations

Gboyega Ogunbanjo, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa

Ntobeko A B Ntusi, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa