From left: Representative of LifeCare Health Partners, Aderonke Opeifa, FCC Health, Faith Barnabas, Founder of Iyewo, Dr. Folake Kofo-Idowu, Nwabekee Amarachi and Onyekachi Chizuru from BirthSafe during the Iyewo Market Pop-up Clinic outreach at Oyingbo market in Lagos at the weekend.
By Chioma Obinna
Healthcare came alive at Oyigbo Market in Lagos as doctors, nurses and health workers set up a full-service clinic in the middle of the bustling trading hub, offering lifesaving medical services to traders who rarely have the time or means to visit hospitals.
The outreach, organised by Iyewo Healthcare Limited, turned the market into a temporary health centre, where blood pressure was checked, blood sugar tested, eyes examined and women screened for breast and cervical cancer all without traders closing their shops.
For Dr. Folake Kofo Idowu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Iyewo Healthcare, the intervention was a direct response to a silent crisis unfolding daily among informal workers.
"Most people in the informal sector survive on daily income. If they don't show up at work, they don't earn. So, when we realised that many of our clients were living with dangerous health conditions, we knew healthcare had to meet them where they are," she told Good Health Weekly.
She explained that Iyewo Healthcare provides community-based primary care through its Iyewo Market Health programme, which serves traders and artisans across selected markets, adding that Oyigbo Market is one of its active locations, with more than 300 enrolled clients already receiving routine care.
According to Dr. Idowu, regular visits by community health extension workers revealed alarming statistics.
"Over 60 per cent of our clients are hypertensive, which is higher than the national average," she said. "Many are also diabetic. We've seen blood pressure readings of 190 and even 200. These are ticking time bombs. Rather than sending traders to hospitals where they would lose valuable work hours, incur transport costs and wait endlessly, Iyewo decided to bring specialist services into the market.
The pop-up clinic offered doctor consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, ECGs for high-risk patients, eye examinations and comprehensive women's health screening. The exercise was supported by partner organisations, including the Healthy Heart Foundation and Life Care Global Partners.
"Our target today is to screen between 50 and 100 people. It's not completely free because people must have a stake in their health, but we have subsidised the cost significantly through partnerships and donations," Idowu said.
Since launching its market-focused healthcare model, Iyewo has recorded measurable results. "To date, we have reached and cared for over 5,000 clients. We have achieved about a 60 per cent hypertension control rate, and in some markets, including this one, we are seeing over 80 per cent blood pressure control."
She stressed that blood pressure control is critical to preventing life-altering complications. "Stroke, heart attack and kidney failure are not just medical problems they destroy families financially," she said.
She said hypertension and diabetes topped the list of conditions identified during the outreach, followed by eye problems such as cataracts and refractive errors. Within the first hours of screening, she disclosed that, a woman was identified with breast lumps and referred for further investigation.
"She's being referred for a mammogram, and we're working to support her with the cost. Early detection can make the difference between life and death."
Idowu said the outreach was also about giving people peace of mind. "When you know what's happening in your body, you feel more settled. Even if something is wrong, you can take steps to fix it."
She urged Nigerians to be mindful during the festive season. "Reduce sugary drinks, avoid overeating, get checked and follow your doctor's advice," she said.
She said Iyewo Healthcare plans to take the initiative to more markets across Lagos and beyond. "Our next stop will be announced soon. But our mission remains the same -- taking healthcare to the people, one market at a time."
Also speaking, Dr. Oluwakemi Bakare, a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with the Lagos State Government and the Convener of Life Care Global Partners, said: "Breast and cervical cancers are among the most common cancers affecting Nigerian women."
Bakare who led the women's health services explained that the tragedy is that many women present late, when little can be done. "Yet these cancers are preventable with early screening."
She explained that cervical cancer has a long pre-cancer stage that often shows no symptoms. "This stage can last up to 15 years. Without screening, women won't know anything is wrong until the disease is advanced," she said.
Bakare noted that treatment options for advanced cancer remain limited and costly in Nigeria. "We don't have enough radiotherapy centres, and oncology care cannot meet demand. That's why prevention and early detection are our strongest tools."
Beyond screening, the outreach included education on self-breast examination and referrals for further tests at subsidised rates.
For traders, the clinic provided rare reassurance. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Thaibat Thompson said the programme filled a major gap. "They checked my blood pressure, sugar level and blood tests, and everything is fine. Most market women don't have the opportunity to leave their shops to go to hospitals," she said.
Another trader, Ashagi Mustafa, said she felt relieved after her results. "They told me my blood pressure is good today, and I've been taking my medication," she said.