Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (FMC Keffi) Performs 18 Open‑Heart Surgeries on Children – CMD!

Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (FMC Keffi) Performs 18 Open‑Heart Surgeries on Children – CMD!

Reported By Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi in Nasarawa State, has announced a landmark achievement for the institution: the completion of 18 open‑heart surgeries on children, thanks to upgraded equipment and enhanced surgical capacity.

“Because we have upgraded our equipment, it was possible for us to perform open‑heart surgeries on no fewer than 18 children, and they are all alive,” the CMD declared.

Details & Context

• The open‑heart surgical programme is part of the hospital’s broader initiative to deepen paediatric cardiac care for indigent patients in Nasarawa and neighbouring states.
• According to previous remarks by the institution’s management, earlier phases of the programme had seen 14 open‑heart surgeries on children successfully completed. [1]
• The CMD attributed the success to the state‑of‑the‑art upgrades in cardiothoracic theatre infrastructure, better trained local staff, and collaborative partnerships with international cardiac mission teams.

Why This Matters

Paediatric open‑heart surgery remains a highly specialised area of cardiac care in Nigeria, often requiring families to travel abroad for treatment at significant cost. This milestone signifies a step towards reducing such medical tourism and increasing domestic capacity.

• For children in Nasarawa and the wider North‑Central region, having access to this level of cardiac care locally can lead to improved outcomes, reduced waiting times, and stronger health‑system resilience.
• The success of 18 surgeries creates a benchmark for future cardiac care programmes in regional centres and underscores the importance of equipment investment in tertiary healthcare. Looking Ahead
• The hospital says it will sustain the momentum by scheduling more surgeries and training additional cardiothoracic personnel.
• Stakeholders are expected to monitor how the facility supports post‑operative care, ensures follow‑up for patients, and scales the programme beyond the initial cohort.
• The impact of this development may also prompt state and federal health authorities to consider expanding funding and infrastructure for paediatric cardiac programmes across Nigeria. Citations

1. National Accord Newspaper – “FMC Keffi conducts open heart surgeries on 14 indigent patients” (via turn0search1)
2. The Eagle Online – “Gov. Sule expresses delight over surgeries on indigent patients” (via turn0search7)
3. NBS (Nasarawa Broadcasting Service) – “National Hospital Abuja lauds Nasarawa State Government’s support for vulnerable children’s healthcare” (via turn0search2)

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

See author's posts