The Onome Omobolaji Obada Foundation (OOF), ProHealth International, and Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Ogba, have asked Nigerians to focus more on preventing sickness instead of only treating it.
They believe this can help reduce many avoidable illnesses and deaths.
This message was shared during a week-long free medical outreach held at CLAM Soteria Maternity and Hospital in Omole, Lagos.
The programme offered free healthcare services to the public. Over 5,000 people from different parts of Lagos and nearby areas received medical help during the outreach.
The event lasted one week and ended on a Friday. Services provided included general checkups, surgeries, eye and dental care, counselling, and free medicine.
During the event, Omolade Olatawura, a Director at the OOF Foundation, spoke about the importance of taking care of health problems early.
She said many people came with conditions they had been living with for many years.“Some people had hernias for almost 10 years. One woman had fibroids that we had to remove, and another had over 65 fibroid lumps,” she explained.
She said early diagnosis and regular checkups could have helped prevent the conditions from getting worse. She said the foundation aims to make healthcare more available and to teach people to take health seriously.
They want to create a habit of regular health checks and early treatment in Nigeria.
Olatawura added, “This is our fourth outreach in two years, and we plan to continue. We go to both cities and villages—places like Delta, Warri, and Lagos—because people everywhere need help. Preventing sickness is cheaper than treating it.”
OOF and ProHealth said they want to expand this outreach to more states soon. They also invited other groups and partners to join them to help more Nigerians stay healthy.
Dr Lisa Olobio-Oke from ProHealth International, who helped provide volunteer medical staff, said many Nigerians don’t go for health checks unless there’s an emergency.
She shared her concerns about this habit. She said, “Most people don’t check their blood pressure or drink enough water.
They also don’t rest enough. Life in busy cities like Lagos keeps people rushing around, and they ignore their health until it’s too late.”
She explained that ProHealth is a nonprofit group that often partners with others, like OOF, to bring healthcare to people who can’t afford it.
Just before coming to Lagos, they held a similar outreach in Ife, Osun State. The outreach offered services like cataract removal, dental treatments, hernia and fibroid surgeries, counseling, and free medicine.
Everything was given at no cost to the patients.“In just five days, we treated over 5,000 people,” Dr. Olobio-Oke said.
There were many eye surgeries, dental work, and general treatments. Most of these patients couldn’t afford medical care before.
The event was hosted by CLAM, whose hospital and spiritual support helped give a complete approach to care. The church offered both physical and emotional support.
Pastor Wole Oladiyun, the Senior Pastor of CLAM, said his ministry has always cared about people’s well-being.
He said, “CLAM is more than a prayer centre—we help develop people.”He mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, they gave food and supplies to thousands in Ojodu.
He also said CLAM spends over ₦100 million each year on helping others, including supporting NGOs and individuals.
He praised the teamwork with OOF and ProHealth, saying this kind of partnership is what Nigeria needs.
He also encouraged people to take better care of their health.“Prevention saves lives and is more affordable,” Pastor Oladiyun said.
He advised everyone to go for regular checkups, eat healthier, exercise moderately, and get enough rest.”Even when you feel fine, still visit the doctor. Your health is your wealth, and finding problems early can save your life,” he added.
