More than 400 residents from five communities in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, have received free medical care and health services during a two-day outreach organised by the Biola Akinyemi Foundation.
The outreach, held on August 28 and 29, 2026, at the Local Government Hall in Ijebu-Igbo, brought together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, eye-care professionals and volunteers to provide medical screening, consultations, health education, medication and eye-care services.
The programme marked the third medical outreach organised by the foundation and represented an expansion from previous outreaches held in Idokan, the founder’s community.
According to the organisers, the decision to hold the latest programme at a central location was aimed at extending access to residents across the wider Ijebu-Igbo area.
A day before the outreach, on August 27, representatives of the Obas of the five communities met with the organisers and members of the medical team with the support of the Ijebu North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Omobolaji Oluwaseun Odunsanya.
The meeting focused on the healthcare needs of the communities, the objectives of the outreach and ways of sustaining community participation.
A community-focused committee was also established to maintain engagement with residents and provide updates on emerging healthcare needs and priorities.
Speaking on behalf of the medical team, Dr Osho Olarewaju said about 142 people attended on the first day, while more than 250 residents were attended to on the second day.
He said the turnout demonstrated the level of unmet healthcare needs in the communities.
“People were ready to completely leave everything they had to make sure they see the doctors. That’s the urgency,” Olarewaju said.
The medical team identified several cases requiring medical attention, including markedly elevated blood pressure, with some patients recording readings of about 220/110.
Olarewaju said some patients with severe readings were referred for emergency medical attention.
The team also identified eye conditions, including cataracts, and referred patients requiring further evaluation and treatment.
An emergency was also recorded during the programme when an attendee experienced an epileptic episode.
The individual received immediate medical assistance, while the foundation subsequently provided about three months’ medication support for the family.
The foundation said approximately 75 per cent of the attendees required medication for existing or long-term health conditions, with medicines provided during the outreach.
Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the free services.
Adeleye Akin, who learnt about the programme through his wife, said he attended early because of an eye problem and received eyeglasses.
He said he was grateful for the support, noting that obtaining similar glasses could have cost about ₦40,000.
Another beneficiary, Mr Dayo Adele, commended the medical team and volunteers for their patience, organisation and treatment of participants.
He described the service as impressive and encouraged the foundation to continue visiting the communities to assess healthcare needs and receive feedback from residents.
Mrs Odedeyi Oluwakemi, team lead of the medical outreach, said the foundation was focused on encouraging residents to take preventive healthcare and seek medical attention early.
“People need to understand that prevention is better than cure,” she said.
Oluwakemi said the foundation’s healthcare priorities include preventive screening, early detection and management of health conditions, access to essential medicines, support for people living with chronic conditions and improved maternal healthcare, including access to prenatal care.
She said the foundation’s long-term plan was to expand healthcare access across Ijebu North rather than rely solely on annual medical outreaches.
According to her, the foundation currently operates a centre on Idokan Street in Ojo community and plans to establish between three and five medical centres across Ijebu over the next five years.
She added that the foundation also plans to move from an annual outreach model to more frequent community-based consultations while exploring the rehabilitation of selected primary healthcare facilities.
The outreach received support from the founder, Biola Akinyemi, N28 Consulting Limited and Abeke’s Garri, as well as healthcare professionals, volunteers and community leaders involved in mobilising residents and delivering the programme.
The foundation said the turnout reinforced the need for sustained collaboration among communities, businesses, healthcare professionals, philanthropists and other stakeholders to improve access to basic healthcare.
The next medical consultations at the foundation’s centre are scheduled for September 12 and 26, 2026.
The foundation said its broader objective is to improve access to basic healthcare across Ijebu North by starting with communities closest to its existing operations and gradually developing a more continuous community-based healthcare model.
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