Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has lamented the wide gap in cardiac surgery and care, calling for improved investment from the government and the private sector.
Mrs Buhari made the call in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during a luncheon in honour of beneficiaries of the recent cardiac mission organised by the Aisha Buhari Foundation.
She called on the government to subsidise the high cost of cardiac interventions and spend more on personnel training and the procurement of equipment.
“A year ago, I conceived the idea of providing free heart surgeries and interventions to Nigerians in need of such care.
“Through my organisation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation, we partnered with an international surgical team, the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, and other institutions to fulfil this dream,” the wife of the President said.
Mrs Buhari said the mission targeted the needy, especially children with critical heart conditions, to give them hope for a fulfilled life, as well as see them recover fully or revived to good health.
She thanked the medical personnel for their effort and sacrifices both during and after the mission.
In his message, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi Abuja, Professor Saad Ahmed, applauded the intervention of the First Lady.
Professor Ahmed called for the involvement of more men of goodwill in the sector to reduce the financial burden associated with cardiac surgeries and care, especially for underprivileged Nigerians.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
