"For the first time in Angola, a highly complex pediatric cardiac surgery was successfully performed by a team composed exclusively of female professionals," the Ministry of Health announced in a statement.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the operation took place last Monday at the Cardeal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento Hospital Complex.
The procedure "involved a 13-year-old child diagnosed with severe rheumatic valve insufficiency."
Another milestone worth highlighting is the fact that the first Angolan woman trained in pediatric cardiac surgery performed the surgery.
"The operation was performed by cardiovascular surgeon Joseneidy Ariana Fernandes Carvalho, 33 years old, the first Angolan woman trained in pediatric cardiac surgery, with a specialization completed in Cuba," the statement reads.
In addition to the cardiovascular surgeon, the team also included "anesthesiologists, perfusionist, scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and surgical assistant, all women."
Joseneidy Carvalho said that it wasn't until midway through the procedure that she realized the team was made up entirely of women: "I had the honor of leading a team made up entirely of women, which I only realized midway through the procedure. We were so focused on the patient that the detail went unnoticed. Only later did we realize the symbolism of that moment: we were eight women, united by a common mission: to save a life."
"Being a surgeon is still seen as something rare for a woman, but it shouldn't be. We can be delicate and, at the same time, firm and competent. I hope this moment inspires other young doctors to enter surgical fields. We need more women in this specialty," she added, quoted by Angop.
The operation, the statement said, lasted approximately four hours, "with the heart valve replaced with a biological prosthesis."
Also female, the patient is progressing favorably. She was transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to the ward 36 hours after the procedure.
Regarding the recovery, the cardiovascular surgeon stated that the children are making an impressive recovery and that the patient is already walking around the ward and interacting with the team, writes Angop.
"Although it was not a planned operation with a gender focus, the fact that it was performed exclusively by women stands out as a symbolic milestone for the healthcare sector in Angola, traditionally dominated by male figures in surgical specialties," the ministry added, congratulating the team.
