World Heart Day 2026 in Mwanza with Bugando Medical Centre

This year, we brought World Heart Day to Mwanza, in partnership with Bugando Medical Centre, a tertiary referral and teaching hospital serving communities across Tanzania's Lake and Western Zones, with a catchment population approaching one-third of Tanzania's population.

Why Mwanza

The location matters. The Lake Zone faces a broad spectrum of cardiovascular challenges, from hypertension and stroke in adults to congenital and rheumatic heart disease among children and young people.

Data from Bugando highlight the importance of prevention and early detection. Among 566 adults admitted with stroke, 86% had a history of hypertension, while only 41% of those with hypertension were taking antihypertensive medication before their stroke.

Among 3,982 children evaluated at Bugando's paediatric cardiac clinic, 1,371 had congenital heart disease, while rheumatic heart disease accounted for nearly 50% of the acquired heart disease cases identified.

Many children required surgical or interventional treatment, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and timely referral.

Bringing heart health closer to the community

Our World Heart Day activities, including jogging, group and one-on-one health education and health check-ups, created an opportunity to bring heart health closer to the community and promote prevention, early detection and timely care.

Photos by Bugando Medical Centre PR Team

Don't miss a beat

Aligned with the World Heart Federation's Don't Miss a Beat campaign, we encourage everyone to:

• Know your blood pressure
• Stay active
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Prevent and promptly treat infections that can lead to rheumatic heart disease
• Recognise warning signs and seek care early

From preventing hypertension to detecting congenital and rheumatic heart disease early, every heartbeat matters.

Don't miss a beat!