By outdoor-nature-child.com In an exclusive interview, Onyebuchi Ezigbo reports from Abuja that FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P), a leading indigenous oil firm, is making a remarkable stride in the health sector through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company has partnered with the Healthy Heart Foundation, an affiliate of First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos, to provide free open-heart surgeries to underprivileged Nigerians.
This ambitious initiative, which has a value of N2.6 billion, includes an annual grant of $500,000 (N875 million) over a three-year period starting in 2024. At the launch of the initiative yesterday in Abuja, FIRST E&P’s Chairman and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, highlighted the collaboration with the Healthy Heart Foundation, emphasizing that it will deliver free open-heart surgeries and enhanced cardiovascular care to more than 360 critically underserved Nigerians.
Ajumogobia noted that FIRST E&P’s support would enable the Healthy Heart Foundation to significantly boost its annual outreach efforts. He revealed that the first installment of the grant was disbursed in August 2024, aligning with the official kickoff of the initiative.
“This partnership not only represents a crucial step towards improving healthcare access for underserved communities in Nigeria but also sets a standard for future health-related collaborations,” he stated.
Dr. Adeyemi Johnson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of FIRST Cardiology Consultants and the Healthy Heart Foundation, provided insights into the types of surgeries that will be available. He mentioned that the offerings will include percutaneous cardiac interventions, such as coronary angiograms, angioplasties, device insertions like pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and implantable cardiovascular defibrillators, serving both pediatric and adult patients.
Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, who witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), praised the initiative as a timely intervention. He underscored the ongoing reforms in the health sector aimed at enhancing infrastructure and service delivery. Additionally, he mentioned that the federal government is looking to expand the health insurance scheme, making quality healthcare accessible to more Nigerians at little or no cost.