* Most people we diagnosed have got care: Founder, Dr. Kofo-Idowu
* Nigerians should prioritise regular check-ups, physical activities: Programme Manager
* We’ll continue to impact Nigeria’s healthcare: Iyewo Doctor
Nigeria is one of the countries of the world where healthcare is expensive. The current economic downturn has even made seeking medical care come at a heavy cost. Besides, the mass exodus of healthcare professionals to the US, UK, Canada and other developed nations, has made real-time access to healthcare in Nigeria more challenging.
Nigerians are, therefore, having to pay higher for healthcare services, and contend with the yawning gap created by medical brain drain.
In the midst of all these, Muslim News, however, gathered that a Nigeria-born US physician, Dr Jalilah Folake Kofo-Idowu, having practised clinical medicine in the US for ten years, returned to her motherland to further the mission of Amal Outreach, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), focusing on sustainable healthcare delivery in underserved areas and also community development in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The initiative, which began in 2020 is being supported by IYEWO, the primary care service clinic founded by Dr. Kofo-Idowu to provide a mix of telemedicine, in-clinic and community care in Lagos.
Dr. Kofo-Idowu, a double-board certified infectious disease and internal medicine physician by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) told our Correspondent that no less than 1,600 persons have benefitted from Amal Outreach’s medical outreach in the year 2024.
Speaking with Muslim News on Saturday, 11th November at the final exercise for year 2024, the Nigeria-born US trained physician said the outreach, which held every second Saturday of the month, targets market women, artisans, especially the aged, and other underserved demographics on Lagos Island.
According to her, “It’s a year-long plan that runs several medical investigations including for hypertension, blood pressure, hepatitis, H.pylori infection, diabetes, HIV, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, eye and dental checks, genotype, among others.”
Founder of Amal Outreach described the November edition of the health programme, like the previous months, as a success, saying that it has been a fruitful and rewarding year for her and the team.
“We’ve had outreach every month, and this is the last edition for the year. We did general screening for diabetes, hepatitis, HIV, prostate cancer, stomach cancer. We also did genotype exam and some preventive treatments for people,” she told Muslim News on the sidelines of the outreach.
We prioritise preventive healthcare
Dr. Kofo-Idowu said Amal Outreach prioritises preventive healthcare, noting it explains why they conduct tests for people monthly.
She added that they also support patients with treatment, as many of those diagnosed with one health challenge or the other have got care under Iyewo, Amal Outreach’s sister organization.
She said there has been a lot of gratitude from the community for their consistency on the outreach.
The Founder stressed that people should be proactive about their health, saying they should not only go for check-up but also visit their doctors.
“Health is wealth. If you are healthy, at least you have a major capability to create wealth and thrive. So, people have to be proactive about looking after their health. A lot of people take it for granted until they lose it. And then they give anything up to be able to get their health back. Don’t lose it before paying to get it back.
“You can pay a much smaller amount that you can afford better now to proactively take care of your health, and make sure that you are in top shape. Go for check up. Go to your doctor. People will go to lab and do tests without proper interpretation of the results or treatment plans. People should be proactive in looking after their health,” she said.
Hypertension cases are very prevalent
Dr. Kofo-Idowu hinted that they have recorded more cases of hypertension in their medical outreach.
“If not diagnosed and treated early, it can cause a lot of problems. Hypertension is basically the elevated pressure of blood; blood is everywhere in your body. So, it can damage all possible vessels and organs in the body, leading to stroke, vision problems, BP problems, among others.”
She thanked family, friends, and other supporters who have donated to the cause, adding that they see what Amal Outreach is doing and believe in it.
While revealing parts of her activities for 2025, Dr. Kofo-Idowu said, “Next year, in addition to our programmes, we plan to launch a career guidance and support for students between age 13 to 25.”
Eat healthy, engage in physical activities: Program Manager Amal Outreach
For her part, the Programme Manager for Amal Outreach, Mrs Aisha Alli-Oluwafuyi, urged Nigerians to prioritise preventive care by eating healthy, engaging in physical activities, and going for regular check-ups
She echoed the sentiment of the Founder that Amal Outreach is committed to preventive healthcare, noting many Nigerians do not visit the hospital until they are sick.
“Preventive care is not yet widespread in Nigeria. Many people only visit the doctor when they’re already sick, but detecting health issues early is often easier and cheaper to manage than waiting until the condition worsens.
“Amal Outreach is dedicated to promoting preventive healthcare through various initiatives, including community outreach programmes like health fairs, workshops, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about preventive health.
“We also collaborate with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to integrate preventive care into routine practice,” she stated.
Alli-Oluwafuyi said Amal Outreach is sister to Iyewo, a startup in the Nigeria’s medical industry, which recently emerged first runner-up at the Female Founders and Funders Programme and won the Standard Chartered women in tech 2024 competition and grant. The center provides continued care for patients referred for treatment.
According to her, their core mandate is to address the health needs of market traders, artisans, and other individuals in the informal sector who often lack access to quality healthcare services.
She said, “The informal sector is vital to Nigeria’s economy, but many of these individuals don’t prioritise preventive care due to lack of awareness, financial constraints, or limited access to medical services. We aim to bridge that gap and ensure that they have access to necessary screenings and health education.”
She also explained that their plan for the coming year is to penetrate more informal communities beyond Lagos Island.
“We will partner with local schools and corporate organisations to provide screenings for staff and students to raise health awareness across multiple sectors.”
The Programme Manager called for more support from both individuals and corporate organisations to expand their scope of service.
“We’re always open to new partnerships and donations to help us expand our services and reach more people. We believe that with greater collaboration, we can improve the health outcomes for many more Nigerians,” she said.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle: Iyewo Doctor
Also speaking, the doctor in charge of Iyewo, Dr. Oluwatobiloba Ajibola, charged Nigerians to embrace a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, to prevent chronic ailments.
“Exercise, even just a 30-minute walk a day, can make a huge difference in managing blood pressure and other health conditions.
“Prevention is always better than cure. Many people are unaware of conditions like hypertension, which can silently damage the body. It’s crucial to take time for regular health check-ups,” he said.
Dr. Ajibola noted that Amal Outreach will continue to make significant impacts in Nigeria’s health industry in the year ahead.
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