A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT, JOSE FOUNDATION UK DR. MARTINS ABHULIMHEN AND THE TEAM OF WORLD-RENOWNED SURGEONS ON THEIR INAUGURAL MEETING WITH THE FIRST LADY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND HER HEART CARE FOUNDATION ON THE 19TH OF January 2023 AT ASO VILLA, ABUJA.
Your Excellency, Muhammadu Bubari, President Federal Republic of Nigeria, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Buhari, our distinguished team of international surgeons, dignitaries here present, all other protocols duly observed.
Today's event marks a significant affirmation that passion and partnership can pave the way for sustainable development and that when we all work together, we can achieve great things for the less privileged thus making the society a better place for everyone.
It is in the light of the passion of the First Lady of Nigeria and the burden in her heart to bring succour to children all over Nigeria who are suffering from heart conditions that has brought us to gather here today to further heal more hearts and bring more smiles to the faces of children who would never have had the opportunity.
It is critical to mention that about 15 million children are noted to die yearly from cardiac disease. It has been documented that almost 450 interventional treatments or surgical procedures for heart diseases are done yearly per 5 million inhabitants.
The converse is true among developing sub-Saharan African countries and Nigeria in particular, with 3–4 times the birth rate, and with a high burden for acquired heart diseases, the need for cardiac intervention and cardiovascular services is much more because cardiac diseases in children evokes a lot of financial burdens.
The pain of watching children struggle with the burden of heart conditions, and the lack of support and resources available to their family to afford adequate medical attention, inspired the First Lady to act and make a difference in the lives of children and families dealing with this kind of challenges.
She has made it her mission to raise awareness of congenital heart defects and to improve the lives of children and families affected by this condition. She has achieved this through a variety of means, including volunteering her time despite her busy schedule, fundraising, and lobbying for policy change.
One of the First Lady’s main areas of focus has been on increasing access to quality healthcare for children with congenital heart defects. She has worked with hospitals and healthcare professionals to ensure that children with this condition receive the best possible care, and she has also advocated for increased funding for research into congenital heart defects, in order to improve treatment options and outcomes for children.
She has also been a strong advocate for the rights of children with congenital heart defects and their families, has worked tirelessly to ensure that these children are not discriminated against in the education system and that their families have access to the support and resources they need to care for their children.
Her Excellency’s dedication to this cause has not gone unnoticed, and this is why Jose Foundation in collaboration with this team of international surgeons who are seasoned professionals in the field of heart surgeries and passionate humanitarians have decided to partner with Her Excellency and further scale up access to quality healthcare for children with heart conditions irrespective of their economic status.
Her Excellency's passion for helping children with heart disease has not only made a significant impact in the lives of many families, but also inspired others to act and make a difference in their communities. You are indeed a true asset to our Country Nigeria, the world at large and most especially to the community of children with heart diseases and their families. Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and kindness towards improving the lives of children with heart diseases is truly admirable, and she is an inspiration to us all.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you have been able to make a real difference in the lives of countless children and their families. Your passion for saving children with heart conditions has inspired others to get involved and make a difference, and your legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.
Your good works are like the magnet that has attracted us from the International community to partner with you to take this vision to the next level and this is why we are here to join hands with you and keep hope alive for these children, and we encourage others to collaborate and truly make a difference.
May Allah bless Your Excellency and grant you more opportunities to reach more and more people. As the mother of this great nation, I and my team celebrate you and pledge our commitment towards supporting any initiative of your, now and in the years to come. Special thanks to Prof. Guido Oppido (Monaldi Hospital, Napoli - Italy) who lead the team of surgeons to Nigeria and Prof. Saad A. Ahmed, Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi Abuja
Once again, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.
Thank you.
