The management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has launched a N255 million free open-heart surgeries for 30 indigent patients in the state.
The interventions initiated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu are some of the governor’s contributions to the health sector. Each open-heart surgery costs about N8.5 million in public hospitals and N15 million in private facilities.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said LASUTH has been at the forefront of cardiac surgeries in Nigeria, tracing its history to the first open-heart surgery mission held in 2004, which led to the development of the hospital’s Critical Care Unit.
Fabamwo also assured that the selection process for beneficiaries would be thorough, ensuring that only truly indigent patients benefit from the initiative and that those with financial means do not take undue advantage of the programme.
Also speaking, a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Head of the Cardiothoracic Unit at LASUTH, Prof Bode Falase, explained that the hospital had spent the first quarter of the year procuring essential and costly surgical materials such as perfusion packs and heart valves, ensuring that prices were locked in before further increments.
He revealed that the first local cardiac mission under this initiative would take place between April 24 and April 28, 2025, with subsequent missions scheduled for August and December.
Falase also called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the cause, noting that LASUTH has successfully performed 187 open-heart surgeries, including 88 in the last three years, 55 of which were fully sponsored.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating that it was essential to inform Nigerians about the government’s efforts to advance precision medical interventions within the country.He explained that such programmes help provide life-saving treatments locally and reduce the need for patients to seek expensive procedures abroad.
Abayomi also expressed profound appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to improving healthcare in Lagos State, particularly by approving funds to sustain this life-changing program.
