KEY POINTS

• Lagos State will sponsor 30 indigent patients for free open-heart surgeries.
• Governor Sanwo-Olu is fully funding the initiative to provide vital care.
• Surgeries will be conducted in three phases throughout the year.

The Lagos State Government has launched an initiative to sponsor 30 indigent patients for free open-heart surgeries in the city.

The surgeries will be conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and the initiative is fully funded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The program, which is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to make healthcare more accessible, is designed to support those who cannot afford the N8.5 million ($5,584) cost of the procedure.

Free surgeries to be conducted in three phases

The open-heart surgeries will be carried out in three phases over the course of the year: April, August, and December.

Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi emphasized that the initiative aims to reduce the financial burden faced by patients who often seek treatment abroad due to a lack of specialized medical facilities and expertise in Nigeria.

“There’s a reason why we’re doing this, to let Nigerians know what we’re trying to achieve in this country,” Abayomi said.

According to Punch, he added that many patients are forced to spend large sums of money to go abroad for treatment, and those who cannot afford it are often left with no options.

“Some heart conditions can be treated with medication, but others require surgical procedures,” he explained.

Medical professionals dedicated to making surgeries possible

Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, stated that only indigent patients would qualify for the free surgeries.

Prof. Bode Falase, head of the Cardio-Thoracic Division at LASUTH, confirmed that patient selection would begin in April.

Despite the availability of healthcare infrastructure and training, Falase pointed out that challenges remain.

These challenges include acquiring the right medical equipment and ensuring accessible surgical care.

“The current average cost of open-heart surgery in Nigeria is 8.5 million naira. Many people simply cannot afford this, and I have seen firsthand how patients struggle because of financial constraints,” Falase noted.