By Enyeribe Ejiogu
Relief from heart-related diseases is coming for affected Nigerians through the subsidised open-heart surgeries medical mission being sponsored by the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) in partnership with the United States-based Vincent Obioma Ohaju Memorial (VOOM) Foundation.
While announcing this, Mrs Chidimma Okoye, Executive Director of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, said that the forthcoming heart surgeries would be part of the SEOF fifth biennial Medical Mission and Health Fair, to be held from 16th May to 2nd June at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) in Oraifite, Anambra State.
Recall that Engr (Sir) Emeka Okwuosa is the chairman of OilServ Nigeria Limited, a leading indigenous Oil & Gas engineering services company.
SEOF and VOOM have for three years been collaborating to offer subsidised open heart surgeries as well as other essential cardiac care interventions to Nigerians.
In addition to the open-heart surgical mission, the community health fair will also target common ailments prevalent in underserved areas, extending medical treatments and services to the people of Oraifite and beyond at no cost.
Speaking further on the collaboration, Okoye stated that over the past two years, the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital has been at the forefront of cardiothoracic healthcare, performing 69 open-heart surgeries in Nigeria, the highest in the country.
Okoye stressed that this milestone underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class cardiac care to the community, adding that DIOMH standing as a beacon of excellence in Nigerian healthcare, is equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including the Philips Incisive CT scan machine, a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation laboratory, multi-modality ultrasound machines, and advanced laboratory equipment.
She further stated that the hospital boasts a state-of-the-art 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 improve healthcare outcomes and reduce medical tourism,” she said.
Okoye stated that the SEOF’s open-heart surgeries in Nigeria will be offered at a subsidised rate, to address the issue of medical tourism by providing affordable cardiac care locally.
“This initiative 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 Executive Director of the Vincent Obioma Ohaju Memorial (VOOM) Foundation, Ms Shawn Andaya-Pulliam, noted that the foundation comprises volunteer medical professionals from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and Duke universities, who are dedicated to serving underserved communities.
She added that with a focus on open-heart surgery in Nigeria, the foundation’s mission extends 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.