Prof. John Okeniyi, Chief Medical Director(CMD), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex(OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has called for more investment in pediatric cardiac services to addressing the massive gap in care.
Okeniyi, a Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, made the call while delivering the 424th inaugural lecture of the Obafemi Awolowo University, titled “State of the Heart: Echoes from Pediatrics, Pulsations and Purpose”, on Tuesday.
The pediatric cardiologist urged the Federal Government to prioritize pediatric cardiovascular healthcare nationwide.
“A nation that neglects the hearts of its children mortgages it’s future; a nation that protects them invests in its destiny,” the CMD stated.
The professor of pediatric cardiology emphasized that protecting children’s hearts remains an investment in the nation’s future.
Okeniyi described pediatrics as the branch of medicine devoted to the health of infants, children and adolescents, explaining that pediatric cardiology focuses on the developing heart, its structure, function, vulnerabilities and remarkable capacity for recovery.
He explained that the “state of the heart” represents both the physical condition of a child’s heart and the professional journey that has shaped his clinical practice, research contributions and lifelong commitment.
The CMD said that he pioneered pediatric cardiology services in OAUTHC with a self-purchased electrocardiography machine and a portable echocardiography machine, which later evolved into a fully functional pediatric cardiac unit.
According to him, the unit now provides comprehensive echocardiography, arrhythmia diagnosis, neonatal cardiac assessment, perioperative evaluation, foetal diagnosis and telecardiology services for patients within and outside the region.
The CMD also stated that collaboration with Prof. Uvie Onakpoya and Cardiac Eye International Foundation led to indigenous pediatric open-heart surgery in OAUTHC, positioning the facility among Nigeria’s foremost centres for pediatric cardiac surgery.
Okeniyi said his research demonstrated that Nigerian children face biological vulnerability, environmental adversity and systemic neglect, stressing that affordable, context-specific interventions could significantly improve survival in resource-constrained settings.
He noted that interventions including honey dressings, papaya seeds, fresh plasma therapy and improved neonatal resuscitation had shown life-saving potential when properly applied within appropriate clinical settings.
Okeniyi called for stronger primary healthcare systems to prevent neonatal tetanus, rheumatic fever and delayed diagnosis of congenital heart disease through improved community-based maternal and child healthcare services.
He also advocated expanded new-born screening, increased investment in pediatric cardiac services, establishment of catheterization laboratories and surgical centres, and continuous training of pediatric cardiologists, cardiac nurses and other specialists.
The pediatric cardiologist further recommended establishing a national pediatric cardiovascular registry, integrating mental health into pediatric care and promoting culturally appropriate, evidence-based remedies while discouraging harmful traditional practices.
He proposed establishing a Centre of Excellence in Pediatric Cardiology at OAUTHC, expanding telecardiology networks, supporting indigenous diagnostic innovations and strengthening neonatal cardiovascular research across Nigeria.
Okeniyi urged government, policymakers, development partners and healthcare professionals to work collectively to ensure that no Nigerian child dies from a treatable heart condition. (NAN)
