The Nkem Hearts Foundation has launched a nationwide healthcare initiative with a two-day medical outreach that provided free medical services to 519 residents in Edo State.

Held on September 9 and 10 at the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), the programme marked the beginning of the foundation’s plan to extend healthcare support to communities across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The outreach was organised in partnership with the Edo Specialist Hospital and offered beneficiaries access to general medical consultations, body mass index (BMI) checks, eye examinations, prescribed glasses, dental care, laboratory tests and medications.

Dental services provided during the exercise included tooth extractions, scaling and polishing. Beneficiaries who required medication also received their prescribed drugs at no cost.

The initiative received the support of the Edo State Government, with the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, hosting the foundation’s team at the State House.

The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, who attended the programme, commended the foundation’s efforts and encouraged its team to remain committed to its vision. He also expressed the state government’s willingness to collaborate on future initiatives.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Marie Bisi Idaomi, praised the foundation for providing practical healthcare support to residents rather than limiting discussions about healthcare access to policy and advocacy.

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Edo Specialist Hospital, Victor Ohenhen, officially opened the outreach and played a key role in the programme.

Other officials present included the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Paul Eighemhenrio, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs and Civil Society Organisations, Nina Eniki Adaba. Medical and non-medical volunteers also supported the exercise.

Making healthcare accessible
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, the founder of Nkem Hearts Foundation, Princess Nkem Onochie, said her decision to organise the outreach was driven by the need to make basic healthcare more accessible.

“The motivation behind this outreach is my belief that access to basic healthcare should not be a privilege. There are many people who need medical attention but are unable to afford it or access it when they need it.

“Through the Nkem Hearts Foundation, I want to do my part in reaching these people and providing practical support where it is most needed,” she said.

Onochie explained that the foundation’s vision extended beyond Edo State, with plans to take the initiative to all 36 states in phases.

She said the organisation would adopt a systematic approach by covering states within one geopolitical zone before moving to the next.

“Our vision goes beyond Edo State. We hope to take the outreach across all 36 states of the federation, starting with one geopolitical zone at a time and completing the states within each zone before moving to the next,” she said.

According to her, the approach would allow the foundation to plan its activities effectively and reach more communities over time. The Edo outreach therefore represents the first phase of a broader programme aimed at bringing medical services closer to people who may otherwise struggle to access them.

The role of partnerships
Onochie also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in addressing healthcare challenges.

She said the support received from the Edo State Government demonstrated the value of partnerships in delivering community-based interventions.

“I also strongly believe that national development is a shared responsibility. Government has a major role to play, but NGOs and other well-meaning individuals and organisations must also contribute wherever they can,” she said.

The founder expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for its support and cooperation during the outreach.

“We have received tremendous support and encouragement from the Edo State Government, and that cooperation has been a major part of making this outreach possible,” she added. She also expressed hope that other state governments would support the foundation as it expands its healthcare programme.

For the foundation, the initiative is part of a wider commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and improving access to essential services.

Supporting vulnerable communities
The Nkem Hearts Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on improving the lives of vulnerable people, particularly young people, children living with disabilities and women. Its activities cover healthcare, education, skills development, empowerment and humanitarian support. The organisation also works with government agencies, development partners and local communities to promote inclusion and create opportunities for underserved groups.

Through its programmes, the foundation aims to help individuals overcome barriers that limit their access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Its work includes youth leadership and skills development, support for children living with disabilities, women’s economic empowerment and health promotion.

The foundation’s healthcare drive is intended to complement these existing efforts by providing direct medical assistance to communities.

The two-day outreach in Edo offered residents the opportunity to access several services in one location, including medical consultations, eye care, dental treatment and laboratory investigations.

For beneficiaries who required further treatment or medication, the programme also provided prescribed drugs at no cost. While the Edo exercise has concluded, the foundation says its nationwide healthcare campaign is only beginning.

Onochie said the organisation remained committed to taking the programme to other parts of the country, with the aim of reaching communities that face challenges in accessing basic medical care. “This is only the beginning, and our hope is to keep going until we have reached every part of the country that we can,” she said.

The foundation’s next steps will involve planning subsequent outreaches across the geopolitical zones, while seeking partnerships to support the delivery of medical services. The Edo programme has thus set the stage for the foundation’s broader ambition of extending free healthcare services to communities across Nigeria.