Residents of the Aiyetoro area in Makoko, Lagos, received much-needed medical attention and support over the weekend, as a health organisation founded by young medical student, Ifeoluwa Oyewole, The Cardio Health, held a free medical outreach in the community.
A statement made available to KUKURUKU,Online on Tuesday noted that the outreach, which commemorated the organisation’s second anniversary, focused on providing basic healthcare services and raising awareness about cardiovascular health, particularly among underserved populations.
Over the weekend, The Cardio Health, a health organisation founded by a young medical student, visited the Aiyetoro area of Makoko, Lagos, offering residents free health screenings and vital medical education.
The outreach, which marks the organisation’s second anniversary, wasn’t just about health checks. It was about presence, connection, and showing up for people who are often overlooked when it comes to proper healthcare access”, the statement partly read.
It added, “From blood pressure and blood sugar checks to BMI assessments and short consultations, residents were attended to with care and respect.
Many left not just with a better understanding of their health status but also with food items, clothes, bags, and everyday essentials to support their households.”
Speaking at the event, Oyewole highlighted the importance of early detection and public education on cardiovascular health.
She said, “We’re here because people need to know what cardiovascular health really means—hypertension, stroke, high blood pressure, these are silent killers. Most people don’t even know they’re living with them.
We want to reduce deaths from these conditions, and that starts with education and free access to screenings like this.”
She noted that the team successfully reached over 500 people during the outreach in Makoko and revealed that similar initiatives are already being conducted in other Nigerian cities, including Ibadan and Benin.
Speaking on why Makoko was chosen, Oyewole explained, There’s a serious gap in health awareness here. Many people don’t even know what blood pressure means, let alone how to check it. These are the places that need us most.”
A medical student of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Rufai Gabriel, shared insights into the groundwork that preceded the outreach.
We spoke with the community leaders, the Iyaloja, and even local health workers. They helped us understand what the people need. So far, we’ve screened over a hundred people—and we’re still counting.”
He further emphasised the importance of preventive care.
It is important for people to be aware of what they eat, how they feel, and the warning signs they shouldn’t ignore, he added.
The outreach left a lasting impression on many locals. For Ayomide Olashile (popularly called Innocent), the initiative was a blessing.
You should have seen the smiles on some of the elderly women’s faces when they heard Cardio Health was coming. Most of them don’t have the money or access to hospitals, so this means a lot.”
Another beneficiary, Ronke Matthew, reflected on the knowledge she gained: “I learnt things I never knew before today. I didn’t know high blood pressure could cause blurry vision. Now I’m more alert to how my body feels. I’m really grateful.”
The statement concluded by commending the efforts of the volunteer-driven team behind the event.
The outreach was powered by a team of passionate medical students and volunteers, many of whom worked behind the scenes doing follow-ups, collecting data, and ensuring every single person felt seen and heard.”
