Pan-African cardiologists visit Cardiff as part of drive to tackle heart disease
27 August 2025
Cardiologists from across Africa have gained new skills after a successful week at Cardiff University and University of Wales Hospital Cardiff, as part of an ongoing partnership designed to address the increasing levels of heart disease across the continent.
Jointly created and delivered by the University and PASCAR (The Pan African Society of Cardiology), the programme aims to upskill cardiologists to improve patient outcomes and increase awareness of heart failure management. The visiting delegates are the second such group to complete the programme, which was first delivered in 2023.
During their time in Cardiff, the visiting cardiologists stepped into the rhythm of a thriving heart failure centre, gaining first-hand insight into its daily life. As well as masterclasses in topics such as imaging, electrophysiology and treating Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFPEF), the group were given one-to-one training in a wide range of treatment techniques and simulations, as well as sessions on pacemaker programming and AI in cardiology.
Feedback was gathered from the participants after each session of the programme. Comments received included: “Today’s simulation was realistic, engaging, and insightful. It boosted my confidence, sharpened my critical thinking, and prepared me for real scenarios. Excellent guidance and feedback throughout.’
‘Excellent presentation. It enlightened my understanding about AI in medicine. I now have some understanding regarding the topic and I can build on it.”
“The programme exceeded all expectations — it was an enriching, collaborative experience that delivered real clinical value,” said Professor Zaheer Yousef, lead academic on the initiative. 'We’ve seen first-hand how knowledge-sharing across continents can drive meaningful change in heart failure care. I look forward to this collaboration growing, and to future programmes in the coming years.”
As well as the packed schedule of learning opportunities, the group were given the opportunity to enjoy their time in Wales’s capital city with plenty of social engagements, including a tour of Cardiff City Football Club with a workshop in Sports Cardiology.
As a Global-Civic institution, we recognise our responsibility to contribute meaningfully to health equity beyond our borders. Through purpose-driven partnerships and impactful engagement across the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, our work with PASCAR exemplifies how universities can build partnerships that deliver lasting health impact.
The Heart Failure CPD programme is recognised as an essential project with practical, real-world impact. If you are interested in developing a bespoke professional development programme with the University, please get in touch with our friendly team for an initial chat: