Cardiac Surgery and Heart Treatment in South Africa

About Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery, also called heart surgery, is a surgical procedure that is performed on the heart by cardiac surgeons for the correction of life-threatening conditions. It can be an open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive surgery depending on the medical condition of the patient. The objective of cardiac surgery is to improve the quality of life of the patients and extend their healthy life span.

Conditions Treated

Below are the major heart conditions that are commonly treated by cardiac surgery:

Amyloidosis: A disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of proteins in various body organs
Aortic Diseases
Arrhythmia: An uneven heart rhythm causing heart to beat too slow or too fast to effectively pump the blood
Cardiomyopathy: Deterioration in the function of heart muscle leading to heart failure
Congenital Heart Disease: By birth abnormality in the functioning of the heart
Coronary Artery Disease: Condition wherein the arteries in the heart become narrow or blocked; may cause angina, a heart attack, or congestive heart failure
Heart Failure : Also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart muscle fails to pump blood due to a range of conditions
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A genetic condition in which the muscle of the heart is abnormally thick that obstruct the blood flow to the rest of the body
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, that is a thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart
Valvular Heart Disease

Cost Comparison

Country	Cost of Heart-Bypass Surgery
Singapore	$18,500
Thailand	$11,000
India	$10,000
United Arab Emirates	$44,000
Malaysia	$9,000
US	$75,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health care infrastructure of South Africa / Why should opt for South Africa as a destination for your medical treatment?

Like most countries, hospitals in South Africa are based upon public and private healthcare systems. There are three main levels of healthcare based upon the payment method of the patient.

The full paying patients are those who usually prefer to be treated by a doctor working in the private sector. They can also be funded by an external source. Many non-South African citizens also prefer this treatment service.
Fully subsidized patients are those who have been referred from a Primary Healthcare Service Hospital.
Partially subsidized patients are patients whose costs are subsidized based on the amount of their income.

The public healthcare system has three main centers for health under its wing:

Clinics - These are run by trained professionals and nurses. They can serve as the first point of contact for a patient.
Community Healthcare Centre - This is a bigger setup, complete with full-fledged services and doctors and nurses.
Hospital - A patient usually gets here after a referral from a clinic or community health center. One can also go in for emergencies. A hospital provides various services like performing surgery and treating chronic illnesses.

Hospitals in South Africa are gearing up to tackle major illnesses and to provide better treatment options. The South African government is also working to introduce policies and towards accommodating more patients from all across the world. It is a great country to find affordable treatment options.

What are the conditions of the hospitals in South Africa? Are they JCI certified? What is the quality of the support staff in the hospitals

The Joint Commission International (JCI) accredits and certifies most health care organizations and programs all around the world. Joint Commission International Accreditation and Certification is recognized as the global leader for health care quality of care and patient safety.

Are the doctors/surgeons in South Africa of the best quality?

Doctors associated with Medigence are of the best quality. We hope to give our patients a pleasant experience and the best doctors we can find. Since South Africa has a lot of requirements in the field of healthcare, the country attracts doctors from all over the world to contribute their services. This can help to ensure that even you receive the best quality of doctors.

What is the process for obtaining a medical visa in South Africa?

One can apply for a visa to South Africa for a period of 90 days. The High Commission of India can then help one decide for how long a visa can be extended. This usually differs from person to person. The Medical Visa allows a person to stay for a maximum of six months with a valid visa. After this, one can go to the FRO office ( Foreigner’s Registration Office ) or FRRO (Foreigner's Regional Registration Office) and request for an extension. Do note that the validity of a visa begins on the day it is issued by the High Commission of India and not on the date of departure. Applications for visas will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to departure.

What support services does MediGence provide in the United Arab Emirates?

MediGence enables you to plan and manage your medical decisions better. These are some of our services offered:

Expert Opinion
We help you seek an Expert Opinion on your diagnosis and treatment from an experienced team of doctors at MediGence and specialists from a reputable hospital.
Hospital Recommendation
We recommend a hospital or a healthcare institution that is best suited for you, based on your ailment and its criticality.
360-degree Hospital Review
We give you a transparent and holistic view of the hospital and its infrastructure, accreditation, facilities, and expertise to give you confidence.
Doctor Validation and Communication
We share a comprehensive profile of the treating doctor and also arrange a call to clear queries regarding treatment if needed.
Options to Choose From
Based on your choice of destination and other preferences, we provide you multiple options with respect to hospitals and doctors to choose from.
24X7 Patient Care Support
A dedicated patient case manager stays in constant touch with you to help you at every step of the decision-making process and resolve queries that you may have.
Transparent Treatment Cost and Other Expenses
We give a clear and accurate indication of the total cost of treatment including treatment, stay, meals, and other expenses.
Visa Assistance
We provide and help prepare documentation for visa approval and coordinate with the embassy to expedite the visa process.
Accommodation Arrangements
We propose to you a choice of accommodation based on your preference such as long stay, short stay, or luxury properties.

Which are the best cities in South Africa for medical treatment?

While many cities are striving to create some of the best hospitals in South Africa, Durban, Lenasia, and Cape Town already have some very good hospitals for treatment in South Africa. Located in Durban, Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre is a reasonable and affordable hospital in South Africa. Life Kingsbury Hospital in Capetown provides a holistic healing environment for patients. One can also opt for the Ahmed Kathrada Private Hospital in Lenasia. This hospital has been running for nearly 30 years now and various medical facilities can be availed from here.