In May of 2026, I will be heading to Oraifite, Nigeria, to embark on my first open-heart medical mission with the VOOM Foundation. In Oraifite, our dedicated team will share our expertise to train and empower the local cardiac staff at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital. We will also direct our efforts toward underserved children and adults who are unable to afford the high cost of open-heart surgery—each action we take transforms lives, families, and generations in Nigeria.
The populations served are the children and adults of Oraifite and the surrounding areas who otherwise would not be able to afford or obtain cardiothoracic surgery and the necessary post-operative aftercare. The mission will feature two parts (a pediatric team and an adult team); as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, I will be serving the adult patients recovering in the ICU after their heart surgery.
Nigeria is home to over 230 million people, and the WHO defines poverty as living on less than $300 a year. Tragically, over 65% of the population falls below this line, making it nearly impossible for an individual to save for essential surgery. For those living in Nigeria, the chance of receiving heart surgery is .00006%. The impact of this mission will be life-changing not only for the patients who will receive the surgeries and care offered throughout the mission, but also for their families and loved ones; as this will alleviate the financial burden of trying to get them the care they need. The positive impact will not only be immediate, but will have lifelong benefits for the patients and their families.
This was such an incredible experience! The need is so high in this area and to be a part of a team that delivered life saving and life changing surgeries was incredible! I reapply appreciated that in addition to providing care to the patients, a large part of the mission was also to teach. This is super important because the goal is for the Nigerian staff at this local hospital to become as self-sufficient as possible and continue to offer this level of care even in the absence of a mission group! I met incredible patients and their families, some amazing local nurses and doctors, as well as ancillary staff at the hospital. Everyone was there with a common goal - to make an impact on these people, and I truly felt like this was done. I hope to return in the future !
