By Oluwafunke Ishola
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has restated his commitment to strengthening public-private collaboration, expanding emergency care networks, and scaling community training to save the lives of residents.
Sanwo-Olu said this during the 10th Anniversary and Award Ceremony of Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), dedicated to providing financial assistance for emergency medical treatment to indigent and vulnerable patients in public hospitals on Friday in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Dr Abimbola Mabogunje, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, disclosed the state’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with HEI to reach more vulnerable residents with life-saving interventions.
The governor noted that HEI’s existence over the last 10 years had strengthened the state’s healthcare system, built greater trust in emergency response systems, and increased public confidence in healthcare delivery.
“Here in Lagos State, we recognise HEI’s role as a vital partner in strengthening health security.
“During critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, HEI provided protective equipment and relief materials to hospitals and frontline workers.
“It further demonstrated its impact by donating a N16 million KVA solar panel system to Massey Children’s Hospital, reinforcing its mission to ensure that no life is lost due to the lack of timely medical intervention.
“Today, HEI stands as a model for compassion-driven healthcare intervention. Its ability to combine humanitarian service with professionalism and transparency has earned it both national and international acclaim.
“This 10th anniversary is also a turning point. From response to prevention, from emergency aid to system-wide resilience; Lagos State stands ready to walk this next journey with you,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor commended HEI, adding that the initiative has redefined the value of lifesaving collaboration in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Also, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, described HEI as a beacon of hope that reduces preventable deaths, ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians receive timely life-saving assistance when it matters the most.
Ogunyemi, represented by Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, commended HEI’s commitment to humanity.
He noted that it aligns with Lagos State’s vision of resilience, inclusivity, and people-centred health systems.
Dr Emmanuel Imafidon, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, HEI, said HEI in 10 years has evolved from a grassroots initiative into a national lifesaving network, built on the power of collective action.
Highlighting its progress, Imafidon said HEI has provided emergency financial aid to over 35,700 indigent and vulnerable patients in 16 states by assisting in settling their hospital bills and saving lives.
He added that the NGO trained more than 147,500 first responders, partnered with 85 hospitals to ensure accident victims are not turned away for lack of funds.
Imafidon said HEI assisted 56,870 accidents and fire victims during emergencies, achieving a remarkable 72 per cent survival rate due to swift action and coordinated care.
He added that HEI supported 8,200 malnourished children, with half recovering within seven weeks.
On challenges facing the NGO, Imafidon pointed to increasing healthcare costs, inflation eroding income, increasing deaths from road crashes and the impact of malnutrition on children.
“Rural communities still lack access to skilled first responders. These realities remind us that our work is far from finished,” he said.
Highlighting HEI’s five-year vision, Imafidon disclosed that efforts must be taken to scale its impact by expanding hospital partnerships from 16 states to all 36 states and the FCT.
He said plans were ongoing to increase the network of partner hospitals from 85 to 1,000, ensuring that no indigent emergency patient is denied or delayed care across Nigeria.
Others are training 750,000 additional First Responders and supporting 50,000 malnourished children with targeted medical care, therapeutic nutrition, and community-based follow-up.
He stressed that this would ensure they not only survive but have a real chance to thrive.
Mr Paschal Achunine, Executive Director, HEI, said malnutrition is gradually posing an existential threat to children aged zero to five years in the country.
To address the challenge, Achunine disclosed that HEI would introduce a N500 million Malnutrition Alleviation Fund, a bold step in confronting one of Nigeria’s most persistent and devastating health challenges.
Through this Fund, he said, HEI would expand access to nutritional support, essential medical care, and community-based education for vulnerable families – ensuring that no child dies from lack of intervention because of financial constraints.
“This new initiative strengthens our existing work in financial aid for indigent patients, first responder training and care for accident victims.
“It reflects our resolve to innovate, to expand our reach, and to build a future where survival is not a privilege, but a right, and where every Nigerian child has a fair chance to live, grow, and thrive,” Achunine said.
Achunine commended the Lagos State Government, partners, donors, and volunteers, who had supported HEI’s work in the past 10 years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HEI presented awards to various individuals, public and private organisations for their support among which are the News Agency of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government, the U.S. Embassy and the Federal Road Safety Corps, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
