Arik Air, a major Nigerian domestic airline, has entered into a partnership with a United States-based non-profit organisation, Hospitals for Humanity, to provide free open-heart surgeries for about 150 Nigerian children every year. The announcement was made through a statement released by the airline, confirming its commitment to supporting the health and well-being of vulnerable children in the country.
As part of the collaboration, Arik Air will be offering flight support to the Hospitals for Humanity team, which includes volunteer paediatric cardiac surgeons and other medical professionals coming from different parts of the world. These experts will perform life-saving surgeries on children suffering from congenital heart defects. All procedures under this programme will be carried out at no cost to the patients or their families.
The airline explained that its role in the partnership is to assist in solving logistical challenges that often hinder access to medical treatment, especially for children and families living in remote parts of Nigeria. Arik Air’s support will also extend to ensuring smooth transportation for international medical volunteers who are taking part in the mission.
Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Mr Roy Ilegbodu, described the initiative as a reflection of the airline’s values and commitment to the Nigerian people. He said that while the airline is known for connecting passengers across the country, this partnership allows Arik to go beyond transportation by investing directly in saving lives.
“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,” 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.”
Congenital heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among children worldwide. The burden is especially heavy in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, where access to specialised cardiac care is extremely limited. In most cases, families cannot afford the high cost of treatment, which often involves travel abroad and expensive surgical procedures.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hospitals for Humanity, Dr Segun Ajayi, said the support from Arik Air would make a big difference in the organisation’s ability to reach more children in need of urgent medical care. He explained that since its establishment, the non-profit has carried out many successful paediatric heart surgeries, but the number of children waiting for treatment keeps rising.
“Over the years, Hospitals for Humanity has performed numerous successful surgeries and impacted countless lives. However, the demand remains high,” Dr Ajayi said. “With continued support from organisations like Arik Air, even more children can receive the critical care they need.”
He added that the partnership with Arik Air is aimed at reducing the number of preventable child deaths in Nigeria by creating a reliable and sustainable system for delivering paediatric cardiac surgeries locally. According to him, the team will not only perform surgeries but will also help train local doctors and health workers in managing congenital heart defects.
“This partnership aims to address this healthcare gap and offer new hope to affected families across Nigeria,” he added.
The initiative has been praised by health experts and observers in the aviation and medical sectors. Many see it as a model of how private sector companies in Nigeria can make a meaningful impact in solving some of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
By taking up the task of transporting both patients and medical teams, Arik Air is playing a vital role in ensuring that this humanitarian effort reaches as many children as possible. This partnership represents a practical step towards improving access to specialised healthcare for underprivileged Nigerian children, while also promoting stronger ties between the aviation and health sectors.
