Collaborative Efforts to Promote Preventive Healthcare in Nigeria
The Onome Omobolaji Obada Foundation, ProHealth International, and the Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry have joined forces to urge Nigerians to focus on preventive healthcare. Their initiative aims to reduce avoidable illnesses and deaths by fostering a culture of early intervention and regular medical checkups.
This call to action was made during a one-week free medical outreach event held at CLAM Soteria Maternity and Hospital in Omole, Lagos. The event provided essential healthcare services to over 5,000 residents from various parts of Lagos State and surrounding areas.
Comprehensive Healthcare Services Offered
The outreach included a wide array of services such as general consultations, surgeries, eye care, dental services, counseling, and the distribution of medications—all offered at no cost. These services were aimed at addressing long-standing health issues that many individuals had neglected due to lack of access or awareness.
Omolade Olatawura, a Director at the OOF Foundation, highlighted the importance of early treatment during the event. She shared examples of patients who had lived with severe conditions for years without seeking help. “We have seen people walk in here carrying conditions they’ve lived with for eight or 10 years. Some have had untreated hernias for nearly a decade,” she said. “If they had access to early diagnosis or regular checkups, this would not have escalated.”
Olatawura emphasized that the foundation’s mission is to bridge the gap in healthcare access and promote a preventive medical culture across Nigeria. She noted that this was the fourth outreach in two years and that the organization plans to continue its efforts in both rural and urban areas. “We believe prevention is cheaper than cure, and people just need the right opportunity and encouragement to prioritise their health,” she added.
Expanding the Initiative
Both the OOF Foundation and ProHealth International are planning to expand the program to cover more states in the coming months. They are encouraging other NGOs and partners to join their efforts. “Let’s move city to city, state to state, and give Nigerians the gift of health,” Olatawura concluded.
Dr. Lisa Olobio-Oke of ProHealth International, which provided the volunteer medical staff for the outreach, also expressed concern about the poor attitudes toward routine health checks among Nigerians. “The average Nigerian does not go to the hospital unless there’s an emergency,” she said. “We don’t check our blood pressure, we don’t drink enough water, we don’t rest enough. It’s a culture of neglect, especially in urban areas like Lagos where everyone is constantly hustling.”
She explained that ProHealth, a nonprofit organization focused on health access, has been conducting similar outreaches across the country. “We were just in Ife, Osun State last week before arriving in Lagos. This is what we do—partner with like-minded organizations like OOF to bring healthcare to underserved communities,” Olobio-Oke said.
Holistic Approach to Health
The outreach offered a range of critical services, including eye surgeries (such as cataract removal), dental care, fibroid and hernia surgeries, health counseling, and prescription drugs. In just five days, the team treated over 5,000 cases, including hundreds of eye surgeries, major and minor operations, dental reconstructions, and general treatments. Many of these individuals had been living with these conditions due to financial constraints.
The event was hosted by CLAM, whose facilities and spiritual support added a holistic layer to the program. Senior Pastor of CLAM, Pastor Wole Oladiyun, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to human welfare. “CLAM is not just a prayer and deliverance ministry. We are a human development institution,” he said. “During the pandemic, we distributed palliatives to thousands in Ojodu. We also allocate over ₦100 million annually to welfare, including support to ministries, NGOs, and individuals.”
Oladiyun praised the collaboration with OOF and ProHealth, stating it reflected the kind of partnership the country needs. He urged Nigerians to cultivate preventive habits, such as regular medical checkups, healthier eating, moderate exercise, and rest. “Prevention is not only cheaper—it saves lives. We encourage people to see a doctor even when they feel fine. Health is wealth, and early detection is key,” he added.
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