The Nkem Hearts Foundation has launched a free nationwide healthcare drive, beginning with a two-day medical outreach in Edo State that provided a range of healthcare services to 519 beneficiaries at the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH). The initiative is the first phase of the foundation’s plan to take free medical care to communities across the 36 states of the federation.
The outreach, held on September 9 and 10, 2026, was organised in partnership with the Edo Specialist Hospital and offered beneficiaries access to general medical consultations, body mass index (BMI) checks, eye examinations and provision of prescribed glasses, dental services, medical laboratory tests and prescribed medications.
The dental services provided during the exercise included tooth extractions, scaling and polishing, while beneficiaries who required medication received their prescribed drugs at no cost. The comprehensive nature of the programme enabled residents to access several essential healthcare services within the two-day exercise.
The programme also received the support and participation of the Edo State Government, with the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, warmly receiving the foundation at the State House.
The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, who was present at the programme, commended the initiative and urged the foundation to remain committed to its vision. He also assured the organisation of the Edo State Government’s continued openness to collaboration on future projects.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Marie Bisi Idaomi, Esq., commended the founder and her team for going beyond conversations around healthcare to provide practical medical assistance to residents of the state.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr. Victor Ohenhen, also played a key role in the programme and officially opened the two-day outreach.
Other government officials present included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Edo State, Dr. Paul Eighemhenrio, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs and Civil Society Organisations, Hon. Nina Eniki Adaba, Esq., alongside medical and non-medical volunteers who supported the exercise.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, the founder of Nkem Heart Foundation, Princess Nkem Onochie, said the outreach was driven by her conviction that access to basic healthcare should not be a privilege.
“The motivation behind this outreach is my belief that access to basic healthcare should not be a privilege. There are many people who need medical attention but are unable to afford it or access it when they need it. Through the Nkem Heart Foundation, I want to do my part in reaching these people and providing practical support where it is most needed.
“But our vision goes beyond Edo State. We hope to take the outreach across all 36 states of the federation, starting with one geopolitical zone at a time and completing the states within each zone before moving to the next.”
Onochie also stressed the importance of collaboration between government and non-governmental organisations in advancing national development, noting that the success of the Edo outreach had demonstrated the value of such partnerships.
“I also strongly believe that national development is a shared responsibility. Government has a major role to play, but NGOs and other well-meaning individuals and organisations must also contribute wherever they can. We have received tremendous support and encouragement from the Edo State Government, and that cooperation has been a major part of making this outreach possible.
“We are sincerely grateful and hope to receive similar support from other state governments as we take the programme to more communities across Nigeria. This is only the beginning, and our hope is to keep going until we have reached every part of the country that we can.”
The founder said the foundation’s immediate vision was to systematically take the medical outreach across the country, by completing the states within each zone before proceeding to the next. The Edo programme therefore represents the beginning of a broader national initiative aimed at taking healthcare support to communities across Nigeria.
Nkem Hearts Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on improving the lives of vulnerable people, particularly young people, children living with disabilities and women. The foundation’s work centres on empowerment, education, healthcare, skills development and humanitarian support, with the aim of helping individuals overcome barriers that limit their opportunities and wellbeing.
The foundation also works with government, development partners and local communities to promote inclusion and create opportunities for underserved groups. Its programmes include youth leadership and skills development, support for children living with disabilities, women’s economic empowerment, health promotion and other community-based interventions.
