September 2021, Lagos Nigeria - Hammed Afolabi, arrived unexpectantly at First Cardiology Hospital in Lagos, after hearing about VOOM Foundations partnership with the Healthy Heart Foundation/Nigeria to provide free open-heart surgery to patients in need. Hammed is a married indigent with three young children and runs a three-wheel bicycle to support his family.  His job is the lifeline to his family’s success. ​

​Victor Ogbonna, age 15, was on his way to a doctor’s appointment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria in May 2108.  He was carrying his scans to be delivered to his neurologist as he is one of thousands of indigent children in charge of his own healthcare.  He was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, brain cancer and needed surgery following by radiation therapy.

Dr. Jeffrey McNeil, retired U.S. Colonel and cardiothoracic surgeon from Austin has accepted a position on the VOOM Foundation board of directors. Prior to his acceptance, Dr. McNeil attended two open-heart medical missions with VOOM Foundation, recruiting two medical teams while leading the VOOM education and training program at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu.

VOOM Foundation recently signed memorandums of understanding with three teaching hospitals to deliver education and training to cardiac medical teams in Nigeria. The three institutions, The Univeristy of Nigeira Teaching Hospital in Enugu, Lagos State Teaching Hospital in Lagos and The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar have all committed to partnering with VOOM who will provide the education and training during open-heart medical missions.

The Voom Foundation pediatric open-heart mission team from the United Kingdom has arrived in Enugu, Nigeria, and began surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Led by pediatric heart surgeon, Dr. Ikenna Omeje, the volunteer team will work diligently throughout the week to address Nigeira’s sickest children.