Urgent Heart Surgeries for vulnerable in Nigeria

Between July and October, our Foundation managed two complex pediatric heart cases — Sandra Etuks 2yrs/ 4months and Nabeelah Ogunbayo 3yrs/9months respectively. Both children were referred separately for specialized attention.

Nabeelah Ogunbayo was referred from Idi Aba Medical Center, while Sandra Etuks was brought to our attention through an online referral. Each case presented multiple heart complications that could not be effectively managed within Nigeria due to need for advanced pediatric cardiac facilities.

After thorough evaluation, both children were referred to an advanced medical facility in India capable of performing single-stage corrective heart surgeries. Sandra traveled in July and successfully returned to Nigeria in August following a successful surgery. Nabeelah is currently receiving treatment at Sanar Hospital, Delhi, where she continues to undergo specialized care.

These cases reflect the ongoing challenges faced by children with complex heart conditions and underscore our Foundation’s commitment to facilitating access to life-saving medical interventions abroad when local capacity is insufficient.

Links:

• Nabeelah

Matilda Carepath Health Foundation

Project Overview -

We are child health advocates. Our mission is to provide timely detection and medical treatment to underprivileged children suffering from life-threatening health conditions such as heart-related diseases, neuropathic disorders, cancer, malnutrition, and more.

We are dedicated to helping families who are unable to secure even the most basic medical care.

We champion the right to a healthy childhood by bringing focus to child heart care—particularly as the healthcare infrastructure for managing this area have become increasingly scarce in our country, with alarmingly rising of untreated cases leading to increased mortality rates.

In our many years of service, we have received significant numbers of health cases from the remotest parts of the country, reflecting the urgent need to ensure that these children receive the crucial medical care they require. However, we currently lack the resources to implement many of our most impactful projects.

With the large number of children waiting to access treatment in Nigeria, a collaborative_ approach is needed to reach every child—especially those living in remote parts of the country where access to pediatric cardiac care facilities remains limited. 

Therefore, we are excited to work with the GlobalGiving Foundation. We are confident that through our joint efforts, many more young lives can be transformed. This partnership will not only help alleviate the backlog of children waiting for treatment but also ensure that those in urgent need receive timely medical care.

The impact of this project goes beyond immediate surgeries. By providing these children with the gift of health, we are not only saving lives—we are giving them a future. These children will grow up to become the doctors, teachers, and leaders of tomorrow. With every surgery funded, we are strengthening families, healing communities, and demonstrating that love and support have no boundaries.

As we expand this project, it will increase access to heart surgeries for children in need, significantly reduce mortality rates, and improve the quality of life for those suffering from heart diseases. Additionally, it will strengthen the healthcare system by fostering collaboration with institutions to address issues related to maternal and child care support.

Project Title: 

Health Outreach and 

Medical Support Initiative – Iba Community, Lagos

Organized by: Matilda Carepath Health Foundation 

Project Summary:

In a committed effort to improve community health and support vulnerable populations, our Foundation conducted a comprehensive health outreach in the Iba community, Lagos, on March 3rd, 2025.. The project was aimed at educating residents on common communicable diseases, ( tuberculosis and leprosy is prevalent there ) raising health awareness, and distributing essential medications.

Key Objectives:

To educate the Iba community on the prevention and management of malaria, typhoid, and intestinal worms.

To distribute essential medications for malaria treatment, typhoid management, and deworming, especially targeting children.

To identify and refer children with serious health conditions for advanced care.

Activities Carried Out:

Health Education: Community members received tailored information on hygiene practices, clean water usage, and early symptoms of malaria and typhoid to encourage prompt treatment.

Medication Distribution: We provided free medical services to the community with the support of dedicated volunteers, essential medicines were distributed free of charge, including : 

Antimalarial drugs

Antibiotics for typhoid

Deworming tablets for children.

We conducted health check-ups, and offered counseling to the distressed. Basic medical evaluations were carried out, with a focus on vulnerable children.

Impact:

We successfully served 110 individuals, bringing comfort and relief to many.

About 86 community members in attendance, benefited from the medications.

Forty -one (41)children received deworming treatment.

Two (2) children were identified with congenital heart diseases during screening. These children were promptly referred to appropriate tertiary health facilities for further evaluation and treatment.

Conclusion:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this mission. Your generous donations, unwavering prayers, and dedicated volunteer efforts made a significant difference in the lives of those we served. It is your support that fuels our mission and allows us to reach and uplift those in need. This outreach underscores the importance of accessible healthcare and early detection of serious health conditions. Matilda Carepath Health Foundation remains dedicated to supporting underprivileged communities with essential healthcare services and interventions. Continued partnerships and support are encouraged to sustain and expand these life-saving initiatives.Together, we have made a positive impact, and we look forward to future missions filled with purpose and compassion.

Thank you once again for your incredible support!

Blessings to all!

Visit to Special Needs Children’s Home (Down Syndrome Center) - Morainbow Foundation.

We recently paid a visit to a special needs children’s home dedicated to the care and support of children living with Down syndrome. The purpose of the visit was multifaceted: it served as a meet-and-greet with the proprietor of the home to commend their remarkable work and unwavering dedication to these children.

During the visit, particular attention was given to children within the facility who are also affected by heart conditions. As part of our support, we provided free anti-heart failure medications to assist in managing their health and improving their quality of life.

Additionally, this visit marked the beginning of a collaborative advocacy initiative aimed at securing sponsorship and financial support for the heart patients among the children. We believe that through collective efforts and increased awareness, we can help ensure these children receive the specialized care they need and deserve.