By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

Indigenous of oil firm, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) on Wednesday disclosed that it would spend N2.6 billion to fund free heart surgeries for 360 Nigerians in the next three years.

The company disclosed this in Abuja when it signed a partnership agreement with the Healthy Heart Foundation.

FIRST E & P which operates 45km offshore Bayelsa State currently produces 57,000 barrels of oil.

It said the partnership is expected to provide accessible open-heart surgeries and advanced cardiovascular care for underprivileged and financially disadvantaged Nigerians.

The partnership, officially launched by the Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, aims to eliminate financial barriers that prevent beneficiaries of the foundation from receiving essential cardiovascular treatments.

The company said the 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).

Speaking at the event, Professor Pate, 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.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of FIRST E&P, Odein Ajumogobia, emphasized the importance of the 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.”

He added that “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.

On his part, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Managing Director of FIRST E&P said: “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.

“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.”