On Wednesday 7 May, the Victorian Heart Hospital welcomed a group of 13 African women, the Ubuntu Mamas from Afri-Aus Care, for a tour of the hospital. This initiative aimed to showcase the Heart Hospital’s operations and promote heart health awareness within the community.
The tour was a chance to build stronger connections between the Victorian Heart Hospital and the African-Australian community – an opportunity to learn from each other.
Community members were able to see how the hospital works, learn about heart health, and find out how to get help when it’s needed. At the same time, our team could listen and learn about what’s important to the community when it comes to health, care, and culture. This helps us make the Victorian Heart Hospital a more welcoming and supportive place for everyone.
Led by Cardiology Consultant Dr Ari Horton, the tour began at the outpatient check-in area, where the group received a demonstration. The journey continued to the cardiology ward on level 7 with Clinical Nurse Specialist Dr Laveena Sharma and Nurse Manager Radhika John, who captivated the visitors with an explanation of the heart as the body’s ‘engine’. The mamas were deeply engaged, asking numerous questions about the ward’s layout, patient consultations, and the significance of various equipment and sounds.
The tour also included visits to the cardiac prevention and rehabilitation gym, spiritual care, and kitchen spaces. Conversations throughout the tour helped demystify hospital experiences and made care feel more approachable. An important agenda item was discussing patient care, recovery pathways, and the role of family support. When visiting the Spiritual Care centre, the group acknowledged the importance of spiritual beliefs and their role in healing and wellness.
During a delightful lunch provided by the hospital kitchen, the group engaged in meaningful discussions about culturally appropriate food, nutrition, and ways to make the hospital environment more welcoming for all cultures. The mamas expressed their admiration with comments like, ‘fantastic job you all do,’ ‘very nice hospital,’ and ‘this tour was fantastic’.
The women are eager to share their newfound knowledge about the Heart Hospital with their community. Looking ahead, Monash Health and the Victorian Heart Institute plan to collaborate further with Afri-Aus Care and organise more tours for other community groups.
Heart Week is Australia’s national heart health awareness week held in May each year. It provides an opportunity for all Australians to have a conversation about heart health, just as the Ubuntu Mamas have with their visit to the Victorian Heart Hospital this week.