Foundation Conducts Medical Outreach In Ibadan

The Wuraisgold Charity Foundation yesterday conducted a free medical outreach in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for vulnerable residents, particularly children, youths and the elderly.

The outreach, organised under the foundation’s community health intervention programme, was designed to reduce barriers to essential healthcare by offering free medical consultations, diagnostic screenings, drugs and counselling services.

Speaking on the initiative yesterday in Abuja, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mrs Wuraola Onigbogi-Jackson, said the intervention was part of efforts to directly reduce the number of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria by improving their physical wellbeing.

She explained that by addressing basic health needs, the foundation hopes to enable beneficiaries to pursue education, work and more stable livelihoods.

Medical services provided during the exercise included electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, echocardiography (Echo) scans, ultrasound scans, physiotherapy sessions, urinalysis, and the distribution of free medications. The foundation said the use of advanced diagnostic tools allowed for early detection of underlying health conditions that are often missed during routine examinations.

According to the organisers, ECG and Echo scans were used to assess heart function and identify cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension-related complications and structural abnormalities. Ultrasound scans screened for internal conditions, including fatty liver disease and uterine fibroids, while obstetric scans helped assess maternal health and reduce pregnancy-related risks. Physiotherapy services were provided mainly for elderly participants aged 60 years and above to address mobility and musculoskeletal challenges.

Free drugs were administered immediately after diagnosis to eliminate cost barriers that often prevent patients from starting treatment. Urinalysis tests were also conducted to provide immediate biochemical data to support accurate diagnosis and prescriptions.

Counselling services were provided alongside medical care, with trained counsellors offering psychological and emotional support and guiding beneficiaries through their diagnoses and treatment plans.

The outreach was delivered by a multidisciplinary medical team comprising four doctors, four counsellors, one physiotherapist, three ECG specialists, two ultrasound specialists, seven student clinicians from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and 20 non-medical volunteers.

Findings from the exercise revealed common health challenges among participants, including hypertension-related conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy, stage II fatty liver disease, uterine fibroids and mobility-related issues among elderly beneficiaries.

The foundation noted that turnout exceeded expectations, creating logistical and crowd-management challenges. Security personnel were deployed to manage the crowd, while the programme was extended by two hours to accommodate all participants. Power supply for sensitive medical equipment was maintained with diesel-powered generators throughout the exercise.

To ensure continuity of care, the foundation disclosed plans to partner with a nearby private hospital and establish a church- and community-based volunteer network. Medical professionals within the host community are expected to provide follow-up support for beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Onigbogi-Jackson added that the outreach aligns with the foundation’s long-term goal of building a sustainable community healthcare model through regular chronic disease screening and partnerships. She said the organisation is seeking donor support and collaborations to expand similar medical outreaches to other underserved communities across the country.