FIRST E&P Launches 3-Year Partnership with Healthy Heart Foundation to Fund Hundreds of Free Open-Heart Surgeries and other Related Cardiovascular Procedures
Lagos, Nigeria, October 9, 2024 – FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) and the Healthy Heart Foundation have announced a three-year partnership to provide accessible open-heart surgeries and advanced cardiovascular care for underprivileged and financially disadvantaged Nigerians.
The partnership, officially launched by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, during a formal signing event in Abuja, aims to eliminate financial barriers that prevent beneficiaries of the foundation from receiving essential cardiovascular treatments.
This strategic collaboration will facilitate the provision of a range of cardiovascular related treatments, including open-heart surgeries and minimally invasive procedures such as Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions (Coronary Angiograms and Angioplasties), as well as Device Insertions including Pacemakers, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD). Over the next three years, more than 360 individuals are expected to benefit from free open-heart surgeries through this program. The Healthy Heart Foundation will oversee the selection and confirmation of beneficiaries, while FIRST Cardiology Consultants, known for their expertise in cutting-edge healthcare, will carry out the cardiovascular related procedures.
At the launch event, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, expressed the Federal Ministry of Health’s appreciation for the initiative, stating, “We are truly grateful for this remarkable partnership between FIRST E&P and the Healthy Heart Foundation, which exemplifies the power of collaboration across sectors. This initiative provides access to quality cardiac care for Nigerians at a critical time, addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases. It is partnerships like these that will help us improve health outcomes, expand access to essential services, and ultimately save lives. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health and all Nigerians, I extend my heartfelt thanks for this impactful intervention.”
Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR, Chairman of the Board of FIRST E&P, also emphasized the importance of this collaboration, saying, “Of the thousands of Nigerians that require heart surgery annually, only about 200 surgeries are carried out each year. At FIRST E&P, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our people, the prosperity of our communities, the preservation of the environment, and maintaining the highest standards of governance. We are pleased to provide funding to help bridge the gap in healthcare and provide critical care to those who need it most.”
Ajumogobia added, “Partnerships work best when the commitment is shared, and the expertise is complementary. This is exactly the case here, with partners who are deeply committed to creating social impact.”
Dr. Adeyemi Johnson, MD/CEO of First Cardiology Consultants and Co-founder of the Healthy Heart Foundation, echoed the sentiment, expressing his pride in the partnership: “We are honored to partner with FIRST E&P in this noble initiative. This collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of hope for those in need. Together, we embark on a journey to surpass limitations and save lives. The Healthy Heart Foundation stands resolute in our mission, recognizing that together, we can rewrite the narrative of cardiac healthcare accessibility.”
“Our partnership with the Healthy Heart Foundation aligns perfectly with the broader mission of FIRST E&P, which goes beyond energy development to include a strong commitment to the well-being of our communities,” said Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director of FIRST E&P, in his closing remarks. “This ethos is reflected in our social development initiatives, which focus on three key areas: education, health, and enterprise development & job creation. By supporting programs like this, we ensure that our contributions in the energy sector are matched by efforts to improve lives.”
This partnership sets a new benchmark for community care, delivering life-saving medical interventions and redefining accessible healthcare for Nigerians. FIRST E&P encourages individuals and corporations to join this mission by offering support through donations, volunteering, and raising awareness to make a meaningful impact in communities across Nigeria.
ABOUT FIRST E&P
FIRST E&P is a leading independent Exploration and Production (E&P) company with maximum delivery capacity across the upstream oil and gas value chain, including drilling, well completion, well testing, and production operations.
Established in 2011, FIRST E&P achieved its First Oil production from one of its NNPC Ltd Joint Venture flagship assets - OML 83 in October 2020, amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. Production was ramped up to 40,000 bbl/d by Q1 2021 and in January 2021, the company achieved its first export lift. In April 2024, with OML 85 asset coming onstream, the Joint Venture is now delivering a reliable output of over 57,000 bbl/d.
For more information, please visit the company website: www.first-epdc.com
ABOUT HEALTHY HEART FOUNDATION
Healthy Heart Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by First Cardiology Consultants to bridge the gap for access to advanced cardiovascular care, especially open-heart surgeries, for underprivileged and financially disadvantaged Nigerians. Their website is https://www.thehealthyheartfoundation.org