Arik Air, Hospitals for Humanity provide free open heart surgeries

Nigeria’s leading airline, Arik Air says is providing flight support to Hospitals for Humanity’s medical missions to provide free open heart surgeries for about 150 Nigerians annually.

These missions bring together volunteer paediatric cardiac surgeons and healthcare professionals from around the globe who perform complex heart surgeries at no cost to the families involved.

Arik Air’s support is invaluable in helping Hospitals for Humanity achieve ease of logistics for children and their parents who reside in destinations far from the surgery location including health care volunteers.

This partnership is in line with the Arik Air’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by helping bridge this critical healthcare gap.

Speaking on the development, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, said “We are honoured to stand alongside Hospitals for Humanity in their mission to give hope and a second chance at life to children with congenital heart defects. This initiative aligns with Arik Air’s dedication to not only connecting people through air travel but also investing in the wellbeing of our communities.”

According to the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Hospitals for Humanity, Dr. Segun Ajayi, “Over the years, Hospitals for Humanity has performed numerous successful surgeries and impacted countless lives. However, the demand remains high, and with continued support from organisations like Arik Air, even more children can receive the critical care they need.”

Congenital heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in children worldwide, especially in developing nations where access to specialized surgical care is limited.