BY CHIOMA OBINNA & OLAYINKA LATONA

Worried by the rising cases of heart-related diseases in the country, Nigerian International football star, Nwankwo Kanu will in July this year, launch a N5 billion cardiac centre in Abuja.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the launch in Lagos, Kanu solicited the assistance from all Nigerians towards the actualization of the dream.

He said the purpose of the centre was to help many indigent heart patients in the country to access free treatment locally instead of undergoing expensive medical treatment abroad.

According to him, the centre became necessary because of the high number of patients who trooped into the foundation’s office for medical attention daily.

According to him, “this world is not only meant for enjoyment rather we should identify with people who have one need or the other. I remember when I had heart problem that singular experience prompted me to identify with people who needs medical attention. An average person who has a heart will want to identify with this project so we are calling on all Nigerians to partner with us in this cause.”

The N5 billion cardiac centre which would be a 40 bed complex among others,  would have six coronary care unit beds for cardiology patients, six coronary cardiothoracic ICU beds, cardiac catheterization laboratory amongst others.

Coordinator Kanu Heart Foundation, KHF, Mr. Onyebuchi Abia disclosed that the foundation had sponsored 410 open heart surgeries since inception in 2000, noting that the major challenge facing the foundation was lack of funds to help the teeming indigent heart patients.

To further assist heart patients in Nigeria, he said the foundation through its founder, Kanu had partnered with a non-governmental organization in Sudan, stressing that the 48 heart patients in Nigeria had benefitted from the relationship.