By Chioma Obinna

Healthcare moved from hospital corridors to the centre of daily commerce at Oyingbo Market, Lagos, as doctors and health workers converted the busy trading hub into a temporary clinic, delivering lifesaving services to traders who rarely have the time or means to seek medical care.

The outreach, organised by Iyewo Healthcare Limited, provided blood pressure and blood sugar checks, ECGs for high-risk patients, eye examinations, and breast and cervical cancer screening for women—without requiring traders to close their shops.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Iyewo Healthcare, Dr. Folake Kofo Idowu, said the intervention was designed to address a silent but growing health crisis among informal workers.

“Most people in the informal sector survive on daily income. If they don’t come to work, they don’t earn,” Idowu told Good Health Weekly.

“When we realised how many traders were living with dangerous but undiagnosed conditions, we knew healthcare had to meet them where they are.”

She explained that the outreach is part of the Iyewo Market Health Programme, a community-based primary care model serving traders and artisans across selected markets. Oyingbo Market, she said, is one of its active locations, with more than 300 enrolled clients already receiving routine care.

According to Idowu, data from regular visits by community health extension workers revealed worrying trends.

“Over 60 per cent of our clients are hypertensive, which is higher than the national average,” she said.

“We have recorded blood pressure readings of 190 and even 200. These are ticking time bombs.”

Rather than referring traders to hospitals where they would lose income, incur transport costs and face long waiting times, Iyewo brought specialist services directly into the market, with support from partners including the Healthy Heart Foundation and Life Care Global Partners.

The pop-up clinic offered doctor consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, ECGs, eye care services and comprehensive women’s health screening. While the services were not entirely free, Idowu said costs were heavily subsidised to ensure affordability.

“People must have a stake in their health, but affordability is key. Our target is to screen between 50 and 100 people,” she said.

Since launching its market-focused healthcare model, Iyewo has recorded measurable impact.

“So far, we have reached over 5,000 clients, with about a 60 per cent hypertension control rate overall. In some markets, including this one, we are seeing over 80 per cent blood pressure control,” Idowu disclosed.

She warned that unmanaged hypertension and diabetes often lead to devastating outcomes.

“Stroke, heart attack and kidney failure are not just medical problems; they destroy families financially,” 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 few hours, a woman with breast lumps was identified and referred for further tests.

“She is being referred for a mammogram, and we are working to support her with the cost. 

Early detection can make the difference between life and death,” Idowu said.

Also speaking, Dr. Oluwakemi Bakare, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with the Lagos State Government and Convener of Life Care Global Partners, said breast and cervical cancers remain among the most common cancers affecting Nigerian women.

“Many women present late, when little can be done. Yet these cancers are preventable with early screening,” she said.

Bakare explained that cervical cancer has a long, symptom-free pre-cancer stage that can last up to 15 years, making routine screening critical, especially in a country with limited and costly oncology services.

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. Mrs. Thaibat Thompson, one of the beneficiaries, said the programme filled a major gap.

“They checked my blood pressure and sugar level, and everything is fine. Most market women don’t have the time 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.

As the clinic wrapped up, Idowu said Iyewo Healthcare plans to extend the initiative to more markets across Lagos and beyond.

“Our mission is simple — taking healthcare to the people, one market at a time.”