BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Arik Air has partnered with Hospitals for Humanity in a life-changing initiative to offer free open-heart surgeries to approximately 150 Nigerian children every year.
As part of the collaboration, Arik Air is providing critical flight support for Hospitals for Humanity’s medical missions to Nigeria.
These missions mobilize a team of volunteer pediatric cardiac surgeons and healthcare professionals from around the world who carry out complex, life-saving heart surgeries at no cost to the families involved.
The airline’s support is pivotal in easing transportation logistics—not only for the young patients and their families, many of whom live far from the surgery locations—but also for the international medical volunteers participating in the missions.
Through this partnership, Arik Air is strengthening its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), playing a direct role in bridging the significant healthcare gap for children with congenital heart conditions in Nigeria.
Commenting on the initiative, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, stated:
“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.”
Dr. Segun Ajayi, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Hospitals for Humanity, added:
“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 childhood mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries where access to specialized surgical care is limited.
This partnership between Arik Air and Hospitals for Humanity offers not just medical intervention, but renewed hope for hundreds of families each year.
