By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger measures to prevent cardiovascular diseases, promote early detection and expand access to treatment in Nigeria.
Idris made the call on Tuesday in Abuja in a message delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama, at the 2026 World Heart Day commemoration and Special Humanitarian Service Award Ceremony organized by the Heart Recovery Foundation (HRF).
The event, themed “Use Heart for Action,” brought together medical professionals, heart patients and survivors, development partners, members of the diplomatic community, media practitioners and other stakeholders.
The minister said the commemoration underscored the human impact of cardiovascular disease, noting that behind every statistic was a person, a family and a story.
He commended the Heart Recovery Foundation for its interventions, including health education, cardiovascular screening, medical consultations, survivor testimonies and support for indigent heart patients.
Idris stressed the importance of credible public information in preventing cardiovascular diseases, saying citizens needed accessible and understandable information on healthy living, warning signs, risk factors and when to seek medical attention.
He urged government, health professionals, civil society organizations and the media to strengthen collaboration towards improving public awareness and access to healthcare.
The minister also highlighted ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve healthcare delivery, including the revitalization of Primary Healthcare Centres and expansion of specialized medical facilities, describing the initiatives as part of the broader health-sector reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Idris, who noted that the government could not address the challenge alone, accepted the Special Humanitarian Service Award conferred on him as an encouragement to continue supporting initiatives that protect lives and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HRF, Dr Suleiman Haruna, said the Foundation’s work extended beyond medical intervention to restoring families and livelihoods affected by heart disease.
He said the Foundation was not only treating heart conditions but also helping to restore families, careers and the future of children.
The founder of HRF, Gilbert Kiaka, said his personal experience with heart disease motivated him to advocate for children living with congenital heart defects and families unable to afford treatment.
Kiaka stressed that poverty should not determine whether a child survived a treatable heart condition.
The Foundation’s Programme Coordinator, Blessing Moses, said HRF had combined awareness campaigns, screening, outreach and treatment support since commencing operations in 2024.
She said early screening enabled the Foundation to identify heart conditions and facilitate timely access to appropriate treatment.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Umar Abubakar, a cardiothoracic surgeon and President of the Nigerian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, called for stronger systems linking diagnosis to treatment.
He advocated sustainable healthcare financing, stronger local capacity, improved data and closer collaboration among government, hospitals, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
The event featured testimonials from beneficiaries whose children had received support for cardiac treatment, including a case involving a Nigerian child who became critically ill while travelling abroad for treatment but eventually underwent life-saving surgery through humanitarian support.
The commemoration also featured the presentation of Special Humanitarian Service Awards to individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to humanitarian service and heart-health advocacy.
