Cardiff University and PASCAR: Transforming heart failure care across Africa
16 December 2025
Cardiff University in partnership with the Pan African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), has delivered a ground-breaking training programme that is already transforming heart failure care across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The African Heart Failure course, launched in 2018, equips cardiologists and healthcare professionals with the skills to establish multidisciplinary heart failure (HF) teams in resource-limited settings.
This commitment is already yielding measurable results. At the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, a multidisciplinary heart failure clinic inspired by the African Heart Failure course has cared for 260 patients over 24 months. The clinic achieved over 60% uptake of triple or quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and reduced rehospitalisation rates to 17.7%, compared to previous outcomes in general cardiology clinics. These improvements demonstrate the life-saving potential of structured, team-based heart failure care in Africa.
Watch our video to see how the programme has impacted the clinical practice of the participating cardiologists.
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
Recent feedback from delegates attending the July 2025 course highlights its profound impact. Participants reported significant improvements in their knowledge and confidence, with many committing to implement structured HF pathways and step-down training for primary care physicians. One delegate commented: “The integration of all aspects of multidisciplinary care and imaging was invaluable. I will now develop dedicated heart failure services in my hospital.”
This programme exemplifies the power of collaboration and education. By sharing Cardiff’s expertise with colleagues across Africa, we are not only building clinical capacity but also improving patient outcomes on a global scale. This course and the range of delegates have strengthened Cardiff’s understanding of global health challenges and inspired new perspectives that will shape our future work.
Cardiff University and PASCAR are committed to expanding and strengthening cardiovascular care across the continent. Plans are already underway to enhance future programmes, a longer visit to Cardiff and additional modules to allow deeper engagement with imaging, pacing, and acute care sessions.
Learning from the diverse experiences and innovative approaches of the delegates has strengthened Cardiff’s understanding of global health challenges and inspired new perspectives that will shape our future work.
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 the Continuing Professional Development Unit for an initial chat: