Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has officially inaugurated a three-year partnership aimed at providing accessible open-heart surgeries and advanced cardiovascular care for underprivileged Nigerians.
The collaboration, signed between FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) and the Healthy Heart Foundation, was launched in Abuja. Pate, speaking at the event, highlighted the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases in the country, stating, “The fastest-growing segment of diseases in our population includes hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and strokes.”
He noted that the government alone lacks the resources to adequately address these health challenges, urging other private sector entities to follow the example of FIRST E&P and the Healthy Heart Foundation in making quality healthcare accessible to more Nigerians.
“We are truly grateful for this remarkable partnership between FIRST E&P and the Healthy Heart Foundation, which exemplifies the power of collaboration across sectors. This initiative provides access to quality cardiac care for Nigerians at a critical time, addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases,” Pate said. He added, “It is partnerships like these that will help us improve health outcomes, expand access to essential services, and ultimately save lives. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health and all Nigerians, I extend my heartfelt thanks for this impactful intervention.”
This partnership aims to facilitate various cardiovascular treatments, including open-heart surgeries and minimally invasive procedures like Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions (Coronary Angiograms and Angioplasties). The program will also support device insertions such as pacemakers, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD).
Over the next three years, more than 360 Nigerians are expected to benefit from free open-heart surgeries. The Healthy Heart Foundation will be responsible for selecting and confirming beneficiaries, while FIRST Cardiology Consultants, known for their expertise in advanced healthcare, will carry out the cardiovascular procedures.
Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Chairman of FIRST E&P’s Board, stressed the significance of the initiative. He remarked, “Of the thousands of Nigerians needing heart surgery each year, only about 200 procedures are performed. At FIRST E&P, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our people, the prosperity of our communities, the preservation of the environment, and maintaining the highest standards of governance. We are pleased to provide funding to help bridge the healthcare gap and offer critical care to those who need it most.”
He further added, “Partnerships work best when there’s shared commitment and complementary expertise. This is exactly the case here, with partners dedicated to creating social impact.”
Dr. Adeyemi Johnson, MD/CEO of First Cardiology Consultants and Co-founder of the Healthy Heart Foundation, echoed similar sentiments, stating the Foundation’s readiness to rewrite the narrative of cardiac healthcare accessibility in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director of FIRST E&P, affirmed that the partnership aligns with the company’s broader mission. “This partnership reflects our commitment to the well-being of communities, alongside our work in energy development. Through our social development programs, focusing on education, health, and enterprise development, we ensure that our impact extends beyond energy to improving lives,” he concluded.
