Contact > FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about HEI, our services, and how to get involved.

HEI stands for Health Emergency Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Since its establishment in October 2015, HEI has been aiding indigent and vulnerable patients in hospitals who are unable to afford basic medical care. HEI acts as next of kin for emergency victims, providing initial deposits to resuscitate and stabilize them within the crucial first hours, while also empowering citizens as first responders through tech-enabled training.

  • Payment of hospital bills — covering medical expenses for indigent patients, particularly children aged 0–5, with non-chronic or acute illnesses (malaria, sepsis, tetanus, malnutrition, diarrhea, jaundice, pneumonia, and more), typically under ₦40,000.
  • Support for women in medical detention — settling post-childbirth medical bills, often as low as ₦35,000, and reuniting mothers with their families.
  • Medical outreach — bringing essential healthcare services to rural and underserved communities.
  • CPR and First Aid training — First Aid, CPR, AED usage, crowd control, and other pre-hospital capacity-building.
  • Financial deposits for trauma victims — timely deposits for resuscitation and stabilization within the first 24 hours, typically up to ₦60,000.
  • PPE and equipment provision — supplying health workers and public facilities in partnership with funders, including during epidemics.
  • Tech-driven data management — a system supporting research and planning across the health sector.

Our services are primarily targeted towards indigent patients, including children, women facing medical detention post-childbirth, and critically injured victims of emergencies such as road traffic accidents, burns, and building collapses. We also support healthcare workers by providing necessary PPE and training.

Over the past 9 years, HEI has trained over 46,000 first responders, settled hospital bills for more than 950 accident victims, and assisted over 7,850 indigent and vulnerable patients in public health facilities.

You can support HEI by donating, volunteering, or partnering with us. Your contributions help us continue to provide critical services and support to those in need.

Please visit our donate page to make a donation or visit our get involved page to see how you can get involved.

HEI offers regular training sessions in First Aid, CPR, AED usage, and other pre-hospital care skills. Visit our academy courses page or contact us directly for information on upcoming events or training sessions and how to register.

While many of our activities are based in Lagos, we conduct medical outreaches and provide support in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria.

HEI aims to expand its reach and continue enhancing healthcare access and emergency response in Nigeria. We are constantly seeking new partnerships and funding opportunities to support our initiatives.

During emergencies such as pandemics, HEI provides Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essential medical supplies to healthcare workers, ensuring their safety and enabling them to continue providing care.

You can reach out to us via our contact page on the website or call our helpline. We’re here to assist you with any queries or support you may need.

We Need You:

Your support can make a significant difference.

Give

Your donation helps treatment begin for a patient who can’t meet the cost on the day it’s needed. Give once, or give every month.

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Learn

Most emergencies are witnessed by someone who isn’t a medic. Learn a life-saving skill today and become a life-saver.

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Volunteer

Give your time and skills — in the field, in storytelling, in fundraising, and more.

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Refer

Medical social workers, nurses, and hospital teams can refer a patient who can’t begin treatment.

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Partner with Us

For companies, foundations, and institutions that want to fund readiness, treatment access, or the systems behind both.

Talk to our team