The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger action to prevent cardiovascular disease, promote early detection and expand access to treatment, stressing the importance of credible public information in saving lives.
A statement Wednesday by head of press unit of the ministry Moses Odogwu, noted that Idris made the call on Tuesday in Abuja in a message delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama, at the 2026 World Heart Day commemoration and Special Humanitarian Service Award Ceremony organised by the Heart Recovery Foundation (HRF).
The event, themed “Use Heart for Action,” brought together medical professionals, heart patients and survivors, development partners, members of the diplomatic community, media practitioners and other stakeholders.
The minister said the occasion was a reminder of the human reality behind cardiovascular disease, noting that “Behind every statistic on cardiovascular disease is a human being, a family and a story.”
He commended the Heart Recovery Foundation for translating concern into practical action through health education, cardiovascular screening, medical consultations, survivor testimonies and support for indigent heart patients.
Emphasising the role of information in prevention, Idris said, “Citizens need credible, accessible and understandable information about healthy living, warning signs, risk factors and when to seek medical attention.”
He stressed that government, health professionals, civil society and the media must continue to work together to strengthen awareness and access to care.
The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, stating that “The Federal Government, through its various health interventions, is strengthening access to healthcare and preventive services.”
He said the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres and expansion of specialised medical facilities reflected the broader health-sector reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
While commending the Foundation and its partners, Idris said, “At the same time, government cannot do this alone.”
He urged continued collaboration among government, medical professionals, civil society, development partners and the media, and accepted the humanitarian service recognition conferred on him as an encouragement to continue supporting initiatives that protect human life and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Dr Suleiman Haruna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Heart Recovery Foundation, said the Foundation’s work went beyond medical intervention to restoring the lives and livelihoods of families affected by heart disease.
He said, “We are not just treating hearts. We are restoring families, we are restoring careers, and we are restoring children.”
Founder of the Heart Recovery Foundation, Gilbert Kiaka, said his personal experience with heart disease motivated him to become a voice for children with congenital heart defects and families unable to afford treatment.
He said, “Poverty should never determine whether a child lives or dies from a treatable heart condition.”
