Medical Mission
VOOM MEDICAL MISSION TO ORAIFITE: TRANSFORMING HEART CARE IN NIGERIA
INTRODUCTION
VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite seems to be rewriting Nigeria’s healthcare story, bringing advanced open-heart surgeries, cardiac interventions, and specialized training right to the people who need them most.
Across the developing world, millions of people live with untreated heart conditions simply because advanced healthcare is beyond their reach. In Nigeria, where cardiac centres are few and costs are high, this challenge is even more pronounced. But amid this reality, a beacon of hope has emerged from Oraifite, a quiet town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite has become one of Africa’s most remarkable humanitarian healthcare initiatives. It brings together local and international medical professionals in the bid to provide free and subsidized open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, and general health services to Nigerians who otherwise could not afford them.
Born from the partnership between the VOOM Foundation in the United States and the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) in Nigeria, this humanitarian programme has evolved from a single outreach into a full-scale medical revolution. Through the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, the mission has performed dozens of successful surgeries, saved countless lives, and trained local professionals to carry on the work long after each visiting team departs.
Together, they are redefining the meaning of medical missions in Nigeria, going beyond charity to build a sustainable cardiac care system for the region.
THE GENESIS OF THE VISION
The idea of the VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite was born out of passion, compassion, and purpose. The VOOM Foundation, founded by Dr. Vincent Obioma Ohaju, a Nigerian-born trauma and orthopedic surgeon based in the United States, started in 2013. The foundation’s name – Vincent Obioma Ohaju Memorial (VOOM) is in honour of Dr. Ohaju’s father and his lifelong commitment to community service.
Dr. Ohaju had seen firsthand the pain of Nigerians dying from treatable conditions, simply because specialized care was unavailable. His goal was simple but ambitious: to bring world-class healthcare to communities that needed it most by organizing volunteer medical missions, especially in surgery and cardiology.
Meanwhile, in southeastern Nigeria, Sir (Dr.) Emeka Okwuosa, an engineer, philanthropist, and CEO of Oilserv Group, had been building community projects through the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF). His foundation focused on education, empowerment, and health. One of its flagship projects was the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) – a world-class health facility named in memory of his late mother, Dame Irene Okwuosa.
When Dr. Ohaju and Sir Okwuosa met, their shared vision to improve healthcare for Nigerians sparked a partnership that would eventually become one of the most successful medical missions in West Africa.
In 2019, the two foundations officially joined forces to establish Oraifite as the base for VOOM’s cardiac and surgical missions. From that moment, they have not looked back.
THE MEDICAL MISSION MODEL
Each VOOM medical mission to Oraifite is carefully planned months in advance. It involves collaboration among international and Nigerian doctors, nurses, anesthetists, perfusionists, technicians, and volunteers.
Typically, the mission runs for three to four weeks, during which a team of 30 – 40 international professionals joins a growing Nigerian team at DIOMH to deliver high-quality medical services.
The services include:
- Open-Heart Surgeries
The centrepiece of the mission is open-heart surgery – a highly complex procedure that was once only possible in a handful of Nigerian cities like Lagos or Abuja. At DIOMH, both adult and pediatric patients receive valve replacements, hole-in-heart repairs, and coronary bypass surgeries at no cost or heavily subsidized rates.
- Cardiac Catheterizations and Interventions
For patients who require less invasive procedures, the mission performs cardiac catheterizations, angioplasties, and stent placements. This helps identify and treat heart problems early.
- General and Vascular Surgeries
The team also performs general surgeries, orthopedic procedures, and vascular operations, addressing diverse medical needs within the community.
- Community Health Fairs
Beyond the hospital walls, the mission runs free community health outreaches where residents receive health checks, medications, counseling, and minor treatments.
- Training and Capacity Building
Perhaps, one of the mission’s most significant contributions is training Nigerian doctors and nurses. VOOM’s international team spends time teaching surgical procedures, critical care management, and equipment handling, ensuring that local professionals can continue the work after the missions.
This holistic approach sets the VOOM Medical Mission apart as not just about performing surgeries but about building a system that lasts.
THE ENGINE BEHIND THE VOOM MEDICAL MISSION TO ORAIFITE
The VOOM Medical Mission thrives on collaboration and shared responsibility. Its success is the product of a powerful support network that includes:
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) that provides core funding, infrastructure, logistics, and overall project management. SEOF’s financial commitment ensures that the hospital is equipped, the patients are supported, and the mission operates seamlessly.
- VOOM Foundation that coordinates the medical team, organizes volunteers from the United States and other countries, and sources specialized surgical equipment and consumables.
- Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) that serves as the host facility. It houses the cardiac theatre, intensive care unit, diagnostic centre, and Cath lab used for the missions.
- Brothers Brother Foundation (BBF) is a U.S.-based nonprofit that supports VOOM by donating supplies, equipment, and funds.
- Volunteer Professionals – cardiothoracic surgeons, perfusionists, anesthetists, and nurses from across the world, including the U.S., Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria who offer their time and expertise to serve.
Together, these partners form the backbone of the mission, blending philanthropy, professionalism, and purpose into one coordinated effort.
TIMELINE OF THE VOOM MEDICAL MISSION TO ORAIFITE
Since its inception, the VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite has grown from a visionary idea into a well-structured, life-saving programme. Each phase of the mission tells a story of dedication, innovation, and progress, showing how a partnership between two foundations evolved into one of Nigeria’s most successful medical initiatives. The timeline below highlights the key milestones that have shaped its journey so far:
2013 – 2018:
VOOM Foundation carried out smaller surgical missions in Nigeria, focusing on Lagos and Enugu. The successes of those missions laid the groundwork for a more permanent operation.
2019:
VOOM partnered with the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, choosing the newly built Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital in Oraifite as the mission’s home base.
2020 – 2022:
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership held its first series of open-heart surgeries in Oraifite. These early missions were groundbreaking, marking the first time such complex cardiac surgeries were performed in that region.
2023:
The VOOM medical mission to Oraifite achieved a major milestone of performing pediatric interventional catheterizations for the first time in Southeast Nigeria. Children born with congenital heart defects could now be treated closer to home.
2024:
Reports in ThisDayLive and The Guardian Nigeria confirmed that over 100 open-heart surgeries had been performed successfully at DIOMH. The hospital became recognized as a major cardiac centre in Nigeria.
2025:
The seventh edition of the VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite commenced on October 8, scheduled to run until November 2, 2025. The mission brought together over 45 medical professionals from around the world to perform dozens of surgeries and interventions.
To date, official reports from VOOM and SEOF indicate:
- 90 adult open-heart surgeries
- 53 pediatric open-heart surgeries
- 22 pediatric interventional catheterizations
- 39 adult cardiac catheterizations
- 5 vascular surgeries
Each figure represents not just a statistic but a life saved and a family restored.
IMPACT AND SUCCESS STORIES OF THE VOOM MEDICAL MISSION TO ORAIFITE
Lives Saved and Hope Restored
Among the hundreds of lives touched are inspiring stories like that of Victory and Prevail, two Nigerian children who were born with severe heart defects. Their families could not afford treatment abroad. But during the 2024 mission, they underwent successful open-heart surgeries at DIOMH. Both children are now thriving, attending school, and living normal lives.
Stories like these ripple across communities, inspiring hope that quality healthcare is possible locally.
Local Capacity Building
Another major achievement of the VOOM medical mission to Oraifite is the transfer of skills. Nigerian surgeons and nurses trained during the missions have begun leading procedures independently. In 2024, DIOMH recorded its first locally led open-heart surgery without full reliance on international doctors. That was a remarkable sign of sustainability.
Community Empowerment
The mission’s community health fairs have served thousands, providing free screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. By catching these conditions early, the mission helps prevent more severe cases down the line.
Infrastructure Growth
Thanks to the continued investment from SEOF, DIOMH now boasts of state-of-the-art equipment such as a cardiac catheterization laboratory, ICU suites, and diagnostic imaging units that rival those in top hospitals worldwide.
The impact of the VOOM Medical Mission extends beyond medicine. It’s social, emotional, and generational.
CHALLENGES AND BOTTLENECKS
Even with its many successes, the VOOM medical mission to Oraifite is not without some challenges that must be addressed to be able to secure its long-term future.
- Funding Sustainability
Heart surgery is expensive. Despite SEOF’s strong financial support, the cost of equipment, consumables, and volunteer logistics remains high. A consistent funding model, possibly through endowments or partnerships with health insurance schemes is essential.
- Equipment Maintenance
High-tech machines like heart-lung bypass systems and cath labs require constant maintenance. In Nigeria, the lack of technical expertise and limited access to spare parts can cause delays or downtime.
- Retaining Skilled Professionals
Training local experts is one thing, keeping them is another. Many trained staff are tempted to japa for better pay and working conditions. Incentives and recognition programmes are needed to retain them.
- Rural Access and Awareness
Despite offering free services, some patients from remote areas still struggle with transport, accommodation, and lack of information. More community engagement is required to reach the most vulnerable.
- Data and Research Limitations
For global recognition, missions need detailed research publications and follow-up data. Establishing a local cardiac surgery registry would help track outcomes and attract more partners.
Addressing these issues will ensure that the mission continues to grow stronger and more sustainable.
KEY LESSONS FROM THE VOOM MEDICAL MISSION MODEL
The VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite offers valuable insights into how collaborative healthcare initiatives can transform underserved communities. Beyond the surgeries and medical outreach, the mission stands as a living example of what can be achieved when vision, compassion, and strategic partnerships meet.
From its planning structure to its community engagement model, there are key lessons the world, especially Africa can learn from VOOM’s approach to sustainable medical outreach:
- Collaborative Partnerships Work:
International and local organizations can achieve far more together than separately. - Empower Local Systems:
Medical missions should focus not just on charity but on capacity building, ensuring local teams can continue the work. - Philanthropy with Vision:
Sir Emeka Okwuosa’s investment in DIOMH shows how strategic philanthropy can address long-term healthcare gaps. - Transparency Builds Trust:
Sharing mission outcomes and impact data encourages accountability and draws more global support. - Community Integration is Key:
By including free health fairs and community outreach, the mission improves public health awareness and trust.
SUSTAINING THE VOOM MEDICAL MISSION TO ORAIFITE
As the VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite continues to grow, the journey is far from over. While remarkable progress has been made in delivering world-class cardiac care in rural Nigeria, sustaining and expanding this impact will require long-term strategies, stronger local capacity, and continuous investment in medical infrastructure.
The way forward lies in building on current successes and ensuring that the mission’s legacy endures for generations to come, and that could be achieved through these strategies:
- Creating a Sustainability Fund
Establish a long-term Cardiac Mission Endowment Fund supported by local and international donors, ensuring steady financing for operations.
- Expanding Training Partnerships
Partner with universities and teaching hospitals in Nigeria and abroad to create fellowship programmes for cardiac surgery and perfusion technology.
- Developing Local Technical Teams
Train biomedical engineers locally to handle maintenance and calibration of high-end equipment.
- Strengthening Data and Research
Set up a research department within DIOMH to publish results, improve techniques, and attract grants.
- Government Collaboration
Seek State and Federal government partnerships to integrate DIOMH into Nigeria’s National Health Referral System, making it a regional cardiac centre.
If these steps are taken, Oraifite could soon emerge as the heart surgery capital of West Africa, serving patients from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
IN CONCLUSION…
The VOOM Medical Mission to Oraifite stands today as a shining example of what is possible when compassion meets competence and when vision is matched with action. What began as a dream to provide access to life-saving cardiac care in rural Nigeria has now become a beacon of hope across Africa.
Through the partnership between the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation and the VOOM Foundation, lives that once hung in the balance are being restored, families are getting reunited with loved ones, and a new standard of healthcare delivery has been set in motion.
Beyond the impressive numbers of surgeries and interventions lie something even more profound. A model of collaboration that prioritizes sustainability, local empowerment, and dignity in healthcare. The mission’s emphasis on training local professionals ensures that the impact will outlive the visiting teams, turning Oraifite into a hub for advanced medical care and innovation in the region.
Yet, the journey continues. There are still many who await help, and many more communities in need of similar interventions. The success of the VOOM Medical Mission reminds us that when people unite behind a purpose, boundaries disappear and healing becomes a shared language. It is more than a medical outreach; it is a movement of hope.
The story continues with the 2025 VOOM Medical Mission which has already started at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, Oraifite and will end on November 2nd, 2025. This seventh mission brings together medical experts from the U.S., Argentina, Bangladesh, Ghana, and Ethiopia joining hands once again with local professionals to perform pediatric and adult open-heart surgeries and interventional cardiology procedures. It is another testament to the mission’s unwavering commitment to saving lives, strengthening healthcare systems, and proving that sustainable, world-class medical care can, indeed thrive on Nigerian soil.
REFERENCES
- https://www.voomfoundation.org/medical-missions.html
- https://okwuosafoundation.org/
- https://www.diom.hospital/media/
ThisDayLive – Okwuosa Foundation, VOOM Foundation Subsidise Open-Heart Surgeries for Nigerians (April 29, 2024)
Guardian Nigeria – VOOM Foundation Expands Cardiac Care in Southeast Nigeria (2024)
Columbia University Pediatrics News – Pediatric Medical Mission Expands to Oraifite (Nov 26, 2024)
Brothers Brother Foundation – BBF Supports VOOM Medical Mission to Nigeria (June 2025)
VOOM Foundation Blog – Victory and Prevail: Connected by Heart (2024)
You might want to check this out…
