The global burden of RHD is estimated at 55 million –  greater than the 40 million living worldwide with HIV  (World Health Organization Global Health Observatory data 2023). By far, the majority of patients suffering from Rheumatic Heart disease live in low- to middle-income countries (LIC to MIC) and have no access to cardiac surgery. This leads to premature mortality in these vulnerable populations.

CSIA is a collaboration united to give patients with RHD life-saving valve surgery by building capacity in LIC and MIC from the ground up, to ensure sustainability and positive long term outcomes. This includes providing appropriate training for cardiothoracic surgeons in problems they will encounter in their own countries, as well as supporting selected cardiothoracic centers to upscale and improve current surgical capacity in performing an increased number of high-standard RHD-related valve surgeries. The long term objective is to establish high quality cardiothoracic surgical centers in LIC and MIC staffed with home-grown cardiothoracic surgeons.