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

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

By Sarah Kitka

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger action to prevent cardiovascular diseases, promote early diagnosis and expand access to treatment, stressing Dr Mohammed Bulama on the importance of credible public information in saving lives.

Idris made the appeal 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 awards 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 professionals and other stakeholders.

The Minister said the occasion was a reminder of the human reality behind cardiovascular disease, stressing that “Behind every cardiovascular disease statistic there is a human being, a family and a story”.

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

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

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

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

He said the revitalization of primary health centers and expansion of specialized medical facilities reflect the broader health sector reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

While praising the Foundation and its partners, Idris said: “At the same time, the government cannot do it alone.”

He called for continued collaboration between government, medical professionals, civil society, development partners and the media, and accepted the Humanitarian Service Award conferred upon him as an encouragement to continue supporting initiatives that protect human life and promote the well-being of Nigerians.

Dr. Suleiman Haruna, chairman of the board of directors of the Heart Recovery Foundation, said the Foundation’s work went beyond medical intervention to restore the lives and livelihoods of families affected by heart disease.

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

Heart Recovery Foundation founder Gilbert Kiaka said his personal experience with heart disease motivated him to become a voice for children with congenital heart defects and families who can’t afford treatment.

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

HRF program coordinator Blessing Moses said the Foundation has combined outreach, screening, sensitization and treatment support since the start of its activities in 2024.

He said: “With screening, we can detect what exactly the problem is,” stressing 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 link diagnosis to treatment.

He said: “It’s not enough to diagnose; we need to provide access.”

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

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

The commemoration also included the presentation of special humanitarian service awards to individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to humanitarian service and heart health advocacy.