WORLD HEART DAY: IDRIS CALLS FOR STRONGER ACTION TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE, SAVE LIVES

WORLD HEART DAY: IDRIS CALLS FOR STRONGER ACTION TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE, SAVE LIVES

By Sarah Kitka

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger action to prevent cardiovascular disease, promote early detection and expand access to treatment, stressing Dr Mohammed Bulamathe importance of credible public information in saving lives.

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 organised 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 occasion was a reminder of the human reality behind cardiovascular disease, noting that, “Behind every statistic on cardiovascular disease is a human being, a family and a story.”

He commended the Heart Recovery Foundation for translating concern into practical action through health education, cardiovascular screening, medical consultations, survivor testimonies and support for indigent heart patients.

Emphasising the role of information in prevention, Idris said, “Citizens need credible, accessible and understandable information about healthy living, warning signs, risk factors and when to seek medical attention.”

He stressed that government, health professionals, civil society and the media must continue to work together to strengthen awareness and access to care.

The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, stating that, “The Federal Government, through its various health interventions, is strengthening access to healthcare and preventive services.”

He said the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres and expansion of specialised medical facilities reflected the broader health-sector reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

While commending the Foundation and its partners, Idris said, “At the same time, government cannot do this alone.”

He urged continued collaboration among government, medical professionals, civil society, development partners and the media, and accepted the humanitarian service recognition conferred on him as an encouragement to continue supporting initiatives that protect human life and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Dr Suleiman Haruna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Heart Recovery Foundation, said the Foundation’s work went beyond medical intervention to restoring the lives and livelihoods of families affected by heart disease.

He said, “We are not just treating hearts. We are restoring families, we are restoring careers, and we are restoring children.”

Founder of the Heart Recovery Foundation, Gilbert Kiaka, said his personal experience with heart disease motivated him to become a voice for children with congenital heart defects and families unable to afford treatment.

He said, “Poverty should never determine whether a child lives or dies from a treatable heart condition.”

HRF Programme Coordinator, Blessing Moses, said the Foundation had combined awareness, screening, outreach and treatment support since commencing its activities in 2024.

She said, “With the screening, we are able to detect what exactly is the problem,” noting that early identification could help affected children access appropriate treatment in time.

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 to connect diagnosis with treatment.

He said, “It is not enough to diagnose; we must provide access.”

He advocated sustainable financing, stronger local capacity, better data and closer collaboration among government, hospitals, NGOs and other stakeholders.

The event also featured testimonials from beneficiaries whose children had received support for cardiac treatment. One beneficiary expressed appreciation to the Foundation for helping her child access treatment and recover successfully, while a medical account highlighted the case of a Nigerian child who became critically ill while travelling abroad for treatment but eventually received life-saving surgery through humanitarian support.

The commemoration also featured the presentation of Special Humanitarian Service Awards to individuals and organisations recognised for their contributions to humanitarian service and heart-health advocacy.