Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Mushin Local Government have conducted a free medical outreach at Ojuwoye Market.
The initiative, themed Community Health Matters: Caring for Our Own, provided much-needed medical tests and consultations for traders who rarely have the opportunity to visit healthcare facilities.
The initiative was spearheaded by NYSC Corps members under the Community Development Service (CDS) programme.
Dr. Aishat Oduye, one of the medical professionals present at the outreach, expressed concerns about the rising cases of hypertension and diabetes among local residents.
“We have noticed a large number of cases of hypertension and diabetes. Many people have high blood pressure and do not even know it. We saw a patient with a blood pressure reading of 200, which is extremely dangerous. These conditions can lead to strokes and other serious health issues,” she stated.
Dr. Oduye emphasized the need for continuous medical check-ups, urging residents to take advantage of government-provided healthcare services.
“Lagos State and the Federal governments have assigned various health centers where people can get free medical check-ups. It is crucial for them to go for routine check-ups, even if they don’t feel sick. Hypertension and diabetes are silent killers and regular monitoring is essential,” she said.
According to Olushola Babatunde, the Community Liaison Officer, the project was designed to provide medical assistance to traders who often forgo health check-ups due to time and financial constraints.
“Our CDS programme is about making a positive impact. After conducting a survey, we realised that many market traders could not afford basic health check-ups. Given the current economic hardship, this outreach aims to bridge that gap by bringing healthcare to their doorstep,”
“Many of these women wouldn’t go to the clinic even when forced to because they simply don’t have the time. By bringing doctors, pharmacists, and nurses here, we are making a significant impact,” Babatunde said.
He also called on other NYSC groups to focus on projects that create tangible benefits for their host communities.
“CDS projects should not just be about surface-level contributions but about real, lasting impact. Whether it’s in healthcare, education, or infrastructure, we should aim to improve lives.”
The president of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency CDS, Emmanuel Uche, highlighted the financial challenges faced while organizing the outreach.
“The biggest obstacle was funding. Corps members are willing to sacrifice their time and resources, but without adequate financial support, it’s tough. We wanted to do even more, but we were limited by available funds,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, the outreach was a success, thanks to contributions from various partners, including Codix Pharmacy, Hon. Razaq, the Fountain of Life Church, and Mushin Local Government officials, Mrs Funmilayo Lasaki.
Uche expressed gratitude to all supporters and emphasized the importance of community involvement in healthcare initiatives.
“The impact of this outreach will be huge. It will encourage healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about critical health issues. More importantly, it gives people access to medical care they might not have had otherwise, potentially saving lives,” Uche added.
Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed their appreciation for the free healthcare services.
Temitayo, a trader at the market, shared her experience, “I am very happy about this outreach. I got examined and received free medication. It has been over a month since I last checked my health because I’m always busy with work. This was a great opportunity for me.”
Another beneficiary, Baba Ayo, echoed similar sentiments. “I was given medicine for free, and my health was checked. I can’t remember the last time I went to the hospital because medications are expensive. The government should support initiatives like this so that people like us can get the healthcare we need without financial burden.”
The President of the Environmental Protection and Sanitation CDS, Okin Oluwademilade, emphasized that this outreach was part of a broader effort to give back to society.
“The economy depends on markets like this, and many traders don’t realize they have health issues. We wanted to help by offering free healthcare. However, funding remains a challenge, and we had to source contributions from within and outside Mushin. We appreciate everyone who supported us.”
