Health
O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Treats 5,000, Conducts 132 Surgeries at 38th Free Medical Mission
No fewer than 5,000 men, women and children received treatment during the 38th Free Medical Mission (FMM) of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation (OBLBF).
The medical mission featuring counselling/health education, outpatient consultations, general surgeries, paediatric care and dental care, was held at the Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State from April 17 to 21, 2023.
Other services rendered during the mission were vision care (including glasses and surgery), malaria testing and treatment, HIV/AIDs screening, physiotherapy, and an onsite pharmacy and laboratory.
The Foundation’s medical team conducted 132 surgeries and distributed 780 eyeglasses to beneficiaries during the five-day mission.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the timely life-saving interventions.
Mrs Gloria Joseph, who found out about the mission on Facebook and brought her nephew, who had earlier been diagnosed with appendicitis, was ecstatic about the free treatment and medicines he received.
“He had been in severe pain, and we didn’t know the cause. We finally took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with appendicitis and required surgery. Sadly, we couldn’t afford the procedure cost of N120,000. We brought him here, and he was operated upon and given medicines. He is progressing well, and I want to appreciate the Foundation’s generosity. I also thank the Chairman, Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, for her relentless effort in reaching the underserved. She is a true daughter of Rivers, and others should emulate her. Everything done here was efficient and neat. My nephew has no complications,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Barry White, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, was diagnosed two years ago with a hernia but couldn’t pay for the surgery to remove it.
He said, “I was charged N280,000 for the procedure but couldn’t afford it. I had lived with the hernia until I heard about the Free Medical Mission. Doctors successfully operated on me here and didn’t collect any money. They also gave me prescription drugs free. I can’t express how relieved I am because this is a miracle. I pray to God to continue to sustain the Foundation, the Chairman and all her staff and volunteers.”
A fish vendor, Mrs Immaculate Isaiah, who had been living with a ruptured navel, also expressed gratitude for the free surgery to resolve the issue.
“I have been to three hospitals at Ngo and Bori, and all the doctors recommended a surgical operation to remove the rupture in my navel. Money was a challenge; the least the doctors asked to be paid was N350,000. I have little money, and nobody agreed to lend it to me.
“But O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation came and carried out the operation. What the doctors wanted to do at N350,000, O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation has done free of charge. They have changed my story, and my God will bless them richly. I want to thank Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, whose vision made these a reality. I won’t forget her for saving my life”, she said.
Commenting on the successful 38th Free Medical Mission, the Chairman of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, said she was happy that it delivered timely assistance to people who urgently needed care but could not afford it.
“That is what we are about at the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation. Several Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots, are in urgent need of care but cannot afford it. Some don’t have the money to transport themselves to cities with general hospitals, so we take quality healthcare services to their doorsteps. We have been doing this since 2005 and will continue to do so because God has chosen us a vessel to assist those in need of care,” she said.
Dr Lulu-Briggs, who also cited the importance of good health to boosting individual and national productivity, said more work needed to be done to provide quality healthcare for Nigerians.
She asked individuals and companies with the means to assist people in need of care or to partner with the Foundation. She thanked those who partnered with the Foundation on the 38th Free Medical Mission, including the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, the executive council of Andoni LGA, the Okaan-Ama of Ikuru Town, King (Dr) Aaron Miller Ikuru and his chiefs.
She also appreciated the Foundation’s medical and non-medical volunteers for ensuring the mission’s success.
“I am very grateful for all their contributions in ensuring the mission’s success. We appreciate the hand of fellowship and ask those interested in our next outing to please contact us, “Dr Lulu-Briggs said.
The O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation began hosting Free Medical Missions in 2005 and has attended to over 144,500 people in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers State.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Dr Obi Adigwe has been appointed as the pioneer National Coordinator of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO).
The body was created by the Ministry of Health under the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
NHTDAO will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated.
The agency will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country’s digital-health agenda. It will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies, it was emphasised.
The organisation will also harmonise and empower the public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture, approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
It was stated that President Tinubu expects NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens.
Mr Adigwe, as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has leveraged science to catalyse interventions in artificial intelligence, translational research, and technology transfer.
He coordinated major projects, including the ¥300m Nanotechnology grant and the AFREXIMBank grant for Africa’s first API Training Facility. He led the roadmap development that underpinned an €18 million EU grant, the largest in Africa for the thematic area. During the last pandemic, Adigwe globally showcased African science by undertaking the world’s first analysis to debunk claims about the Covid Organics preparation.
The Office’s Steering Committee, which provides strategic direction and oversight, comprises:
- Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Co-chair)
- Mr Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (Co-chair)
- Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (Alternate Co-chair)
- Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy
- Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator, SWAp Coordination Office
- Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain
- Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency
- Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director General, National Health Insurance Authority
- Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- National Information Technology Development Agency Representative
- Six representatives of the State Commissioners of Health, one from each of the six geopolitical zones
- Pharm Hamza Buhari, Stakeholder representing Industry and Community.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State government has kicked off an initiative to ensure that every newborn is screened for Sickle Cell Disease within 48 to 72 hours after birth using a simple heel-prick test.
It was gathered that babies identified as being at risk will immediately be placed on preventive care while awaiting confirmatory testing.
The Head of the Haematology Department at the Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Olubukola Orolu, revealed that an estimated 150,000 babies are born annually with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria, giving the country one of the highest SCD burdens globally.
She, however, applauded the Lagos State Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for introducing the state-wide newborn screening programme, describing it as a major step towards reducing childhood deaths associated with the disease.
The commencement of this scheme coincides with the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, themed Young Voices Rising for Sickle Cell Disease – Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.
It highlights the importance of listening to the experiences and aspirations of young people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Mrs Orolu noted that SCD warriors are increasingly breaking barriers as advocates, leaders, students and change-makers, adding that their voices have continued to reshape the narrative through advocacy for equitable, patient-centred healthcare, self-care and experience sharing.
She, therefore, called for equal access to quality healthcare, survival opportunities and dignity for everyone living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Akinyele Akinlade, described Sickle Cell Disease as an inherited blood disorder that is not contagious, noting that individuals living with the condition are more susceptible to infections.
He advised SCD warriors to stay well hydrated, avoid stress, and protect themselves from extreme cold or heat, as these are common triggers of sickle cell crises, adding that these preventive measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crises.
One of the participants, Ms Borokini Zainab, an SCD warrior and student nurse, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the enlightenment programme.
Sharing her personal journey, she spoke about the challenges of balancing recurrent pain crises with her academic pursuits and personal life. Despite moments of frustration, she encouraged fellow warriors not to lose hope.
“Don’t let sickle cell put you down. Be encouraged from within. Don’t let your dreams be shattered because of this,” she said, adding that her personal experience with Sickle Cell Disease inspired her to pursue a career in nursing so she could support others living with the condition.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A 12-week health-tech incubation programme tailored for early-stage founders in Nigeria has been introduced by an innovation and venture-building platform, Evon Labs.
This initiative, known as HealthX Catalyst, will help participants to create scalable, investable solutions for Africa’s urgent healthcare issues.
The programme is underway, with 12 selected founders nearing the final weeks of intensive incubation, ending with a Demo Day on June 24, 2026, at the UNDP innovation centre in Lagos, where the small business owners will present their solutions to an audience of investors, healthcare leaders, development organisations, and technology partners.
The initiative selects early-stage healthcare founders and immerses them in a structured 12-week development process. Throughout this period, participants receive personalised and group mentorship from seasoned professionals across the healthcare, technology, and business sectors.
They also receive structured support for startup development, including refining business models, developing value propositions, and validating markets.
Additionally, participants gain access to a network of healthcare practitioners, sector experts, and industry leaders, along with targeted investment-readiness assistance to prepare them to engage with investors and strategic partners after the programme.
The result is a cohort of founders who move through the programme not simply with a refined pitch, but with a validated business model, a stronger professional network, and a clear pathway to growth.
To accelerate the most promising solutions beyond the programme, monetary grants will be awarded to the top three founders to support product development, pilot implementation, market validation, and early-stage scaling.
It was learned that HealthX Catalyst was developed in response to a structural gap in the African health-tech ecosystem.
Across the continent, a growing number of entrepreneurs are building solutions to healthcare problems from access and diagnostics to service delivery and health data infrastructure. Yet many of these early-stage ideas fail to progress beyond concept, not for lack of vision, but for lack of structured support: mentorship, startup development frameworks, industry access, and early-stage funding pathways. HealthX Catalyst was built to provide exactly that.
“Africa does not have a shortage of healthcare innovators. What it has lacked is the infrastructure to turn its ideas into sustainable businesses. HealthX Catalyst is that infrastructure, a serious, structured programme designed to take founders from early-stage ideas to investable startups.
“What we are seeing from this first cohort is exactly what we set out to create: founders who are not just building products, but building businesses that can scale and create lasting impact,” the founder of Evon Labs, Ms Isioma Udeozo, said of the unveiling of HealthX Catalyst.
The partners of the programme are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Odua Investment Company Limited (OICL), Washington University of St Louis, Missouri, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and Brooks Insights.
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