In Côte d'Ivoire, cardiovascular diseases are no longer just a medical challenge; they are a national emergency, causing nearly 200 deaths per day . Faced with the historical dependence on medical evacuations, the "Cardio Excellence" mission, conducted from February 5 to 10, 2026 by the Institut Cœur de Grâce (ICG SA), marks a decisive turning point towards the country's surgical autonomy.

1. Break the cycle of costly evacuations

Until now, a serious heart condition often meant a forced departure for Europe or North Africa. A last resort, but with serious consequences:

1. Financial: An evacuation costs between 45,000 and 120,000 euros .
2. Human factors: Critical administrative delays, family uprooting and risks of aggravation during transport.

For Professor Pascal Le Prince (Pitié-Salpêtrière), the issue is clear: "The country must be sovereign over its health, just as it must be over its defense." Operating in Abidjan means reinvesting these resources in the local economy while saving lives more quickly.

2. A benchmark technical platform

The ICG is not content with mere announcements. The mission successfully carried out three complex interventions:

1. Aortic valve replacement
2. Coronary bypass
3. Correction of a coarctation of the aorta

With its 65 beds , state-of-the-art operating rooms and hybrid room, the facility led by Dr. Charles-Philippe Zogbo aims to become the cardiology hub of the sub-region.

3. Skills transfer: the weapon of sustainability

The originality of the Cardio Excellence Mission lies in its North-South collaboration. Experts from the University Hospitals of Bordeaux and Pitié-Salpêtrière work hand in hand with Ivorian practitioners.

"The challenge now is to consolidate the teams and make this sustainable," emphasizes Professor Alexandre Ouattara.

The objective is not one-off performance, but the creation of an Ivorian school of cardiac surgery capable of responding, in complete autonomy, to a growing demand.

4. Prevention and screening: the last line of defense

Despite these technological advances, specialists insist: surgery is a last resort. The major challenge remains early detection . With hypertension affecting 30 to 40% of adults, diagnosis often comes too late.

Warning signs:

1. Chest pains.
2. Abnormal shortness of breath.
3. Edema (swollen legs).

Key figures

Indicator	Data
Mortality	Leading cause of death in Ivory Coast (200 deaths/day)
Evacuation cost	30 to 80 million FCFA (approx. €45k - €120k)
ICG Capacity	65 beds and 2 operating theaters

In conclusion: While the Abidjan and Bouaké Cardiology Institutes had already laid the groundwork, the ICG initiative strengthens the provision of highly technical healthcare. Reducing the need for patients to travel abroad means offering Ivorians local, compassionate, and sovereign medical care.