On November 25, 2025,
Cardgoal, in partnership with the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) and under the patronage of the Lagos State Government (Health District VI) and Ikeja Local Government, officially launched the “Gift Health , a community-based integrated child malnutrition initiative.
The event marked a major step forward in the fight against Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in Nigerian children by introducing a structured 90-day therapeutic recovery program designed to go beyond one-time food donations and deliver measurable and long-term health outcomes.
Beneficiaries were drawn from eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) and LCDAs within the Ikeja Division to ensure the Gift Health program reaches some of the most vulnerable families in the region.
A Mission Focused on Recovery, Not Just Relief
Unlike traditional food-drive interventions, Gift Health is built around sustained treatment and close medical monitoring. The goal is not only to feed children, but to restore health, strengthen immunity, and ensure full nutritional recovery over a 90-day period.
The program includes:
- Identifying malnourished children and enroll them into a structured 3-month recovery cycle
- Track their weight gain and overall health progress throughout the program
- Families receiving nutrition education, supplements, and economic support to prevent relapse
Strong Government & Partner Support at the Launch
The launch event welcomed key stakeholders and government representatives who reinforced the importance of tackling child malnutrition at the grassroots level.
Olufemi Omololu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District VI
He highlighted the scale of the malnutrition crisis in Nigeria and emphasized the urgency of addressing it:
“
We need to address this. The program seeks to identify malnourished children, provide supplementation, empower mothers, and monitor results.”
Pascal Achunine, Executive Director, Health Emergency Initiative (HEI)
He stressed the long-term dangers of malnutrition on children’s physical and mental development:
“
The implications of malnutrition in a child include stunted growth, which affects cognitive and brain development. A malnourished child is exposed to a low IQ. It affects their organs and has genetic effects.”
Stephen Anyakuam, Representative of Cardgoal
He spoke on the company’s responsibility to give back to the communities it serves:
“
You have done business in a place and made money. It is only fair to give back.” He also encouraged parents to stay committed to their children’s future: “
Put in effort; let it not be that you did not try.”
Key Activities at the Gift Health Launch
The event featured a carefully planned set of activities aligned with the program’s long-term intervention goals:
✅ Launch of the 90-Day Recovery Cycle
This event marked the official commencement of the therapeutic nutrition recovery program. Identified malnourished children were enrolled into a three-month health monitoring system, where their progress will be medically tracked, nutritional rehabilitation will be evaluated consistently and adjustments will be made based on each child’s response to treatment.
✅ Budget Nutrition Workshops for Mothers
One of the most impactful sessions at the event was the “Budget Nutrition” training workshop for mothers. Through practical demonstrations, mothers were taught how to prepare nutrient-rich meals on a micro budget, cook healthy meals for as low as ₦1,500 – ₦2,000 and make better food choices using locally available ingredients.
✅ Medical Screening & Supplementation
Medical officers conducted on-site health screenings to identify acute malnutrition cases, assess immediate health risks and provide instant therapeutic food and nutritional supplements to children who needed urgent support
✅ Vocational Support for Low-Income Mothers
To strengthen household economic stability, vocational support for mothers was announced. This initiative is designed to empower mothers financially and improve household income to reduce long-term dependency.
Cardgoal’s Commitment to Social Impact
The launch of Gift Health reflects Cardgoal’s growing commitment to community-focused social impact, particularly in healthcare and child well-being. By partnering with HEI and working under government health structures, Cardgoal ensures that every intervention is structured and every child receives dignified and sustained care.
The November 25 launch is just the beginning. Over the next 90 days, enrolled children will undergo full nutritional rehabilitation, with ongoing medical monitoring, continued nutrition support, family education and economic empowerment for caregivers.
Together, Cardgoal and HEI are not only treating malnutrition, they are restoring futures.
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