By  Oluwafunke Ishola

Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF), in partnership with U.S.-based Vincent Obioma Ohaju Memorial (VOOM) Foundation, will subsidise open heart surgeries for some Nigerians suffering from heart-related diseases.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Chidimma Okoye, Executive Director, SEOF, and made available to newsmen in Lagos on Monday.

Okoye said that the SEOF’s open-heart surgeries in Nigeria would be offered at subsidised rates, addressing the issue of medical tourism by providing affordable cardiac care locally.

She said the heart surgeries would be done to commemorate the foundation’s fifth biannual adult open-heart surgery medical mission and health fair from May 16 to June 2, in Oraifite, Anambra.

The SEOF Executive Director noted that the partnership on the open heart surgeries which was in its third year was essential to bring cardiac care to the Nigerian healthcare sector.

She said in addition to the open-heart surgical mission, the community health fair would also target common ailments prevalent in underserved areas in Oraifite and environs at no cost to the beneficiaries.

Okoye revealed that in the last two years, Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) had been at the forefront of cardiothoracic health, performing 69 open-heart surgeries in Nigeria, the highest in the country.

She said that this milestone underscored the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class cardiac care to the community.

“DIOMH, standing as a beacon of excellence in Nigerian healthcare, boasts a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with cardiopulmonary support and a 24-hour critical care ambulance service integrated with the Anambra State emergency response service.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the VOOM Foundation to expand access to life-saving cardiac procedures in Nigeria.

“This initiative aligns with our mission to improving healthcare outcomes and reducing medical tourism.

“It also aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients who would otherwise travel abroad for treatment, often spending thousands of dollars in the process,” she said.

The statement also quoted Ms Shawn Andaya-Pulliam, Executive Director, VOOM Foundation, as saying that the foundation comprised volunteer medical professionals from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and Duke universities, whose dedication was to serve underserved communities.

She added that with a focus on open-heart surgery in Nigeria, the foundation’s mission extended beyond medical intervention to community empowerment, education, and sustainable healthcare solutions.

“Our team is honoured to contribute our expertise to this critical endeavour.

“Together, we can make a profound impact on the lives of those in need,” Andaya-Pulliam said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Vincent Obi