In the spirit of the festive season, Tamar Homes Foundation (THF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has provided free healthcare services, medications, and foodstuffs worth ₦10 million to over 1,500 residents of Ikota and its environs in Lagos State.
The initiative, held recently during the free medical outreach organised by THF at the open field of Ikota Primary School, aimed to alleviate the burden of healthcare costs and spread joy among vulnerable populations, according to Olajumoke Rhema, CEO of THF.
Speaking at the event, which attracted residents from various parts of Lagos, especially Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Rhema explained that this was their third outreach of the year, following similar initiatives in Badore Community and Ikota Primary School. “Today, we are here for our annual medical outreach and food drive. We have medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists offering free consultations for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and early detection of prostate cancer. Children are also being attended to, and we’re distributing free foodstuffs as well,” she said.
Rhema emphasised the importance of the initiative, particularly during the holiday season when many people may not be aware of their health status. “Most people don’t know their sugar or blood pressure levels, and this is the perfect time to provide them with the opportunity for early detection,” she added.
The event was held in Ikota due to its enclosed community setting, which allowed better crowd control. However, attendees came from across Lagos, with buses mobilising individuals from various communities. Rhema noted, “We chose Ikota for security reasons, but people came from Lafayette, Surulere, and other parts of Lagos. Our goal was to reach 1,000 people, but we’re already catering to over 1,500 people.”
Rhema also urged corporate organisations to support community welfare. “I want to encourage everyone, especially corporate organisations, to look beyond their immediate surroundings. Every little contribution counts. If each organisation contributes a small percentage of their profits, it can significantly improve the lives of people in these communities,” she stated.
The cost of this year’s initiative, which included medical personnel, logistics, food, and medication, exceeded ₦10 million. “We’ve invested heavily in this event, and it has been truly humbling to see the level of turnout. We could have spent even more, but we’re trusting that we can continue growing this initiative in the coming years,” Rhema added.
Olabisi Abodunrin, a key official of THF, noted that beyond free medical services, the foundation provided cooked meals to ensure attendees stayed energised while waiting for their consultations. “We’re also distributing essential food items like semovita, pasta, and oil to the community,” she said.
Dr Maria Ayeni, one of the doctors present at the outreach, highlighted some prevalent health conditions in the community, including high blood pressure, respiratory infections, and malaria. “Many people are unaware of their high blood pressure or blood sugar levels, and some can’t afford the medication. That’s why initiatives like this are crucial,” Ayeni remarked.
Pharmaceutical interventions included free prescriptions for hypertension, diabetes, and malaria, as well as guidance for those with chronic conditions. “Most people cannot afford these medications, and being able to provide them with free healthcare is incredibly rewarding,” she added.
Apostle Samuel Adeyanju, an elderly resident from Oshapa, a neighbouring community, expressed his appreciation for the programme. “I’m from Oshapa, London, a neighbouring community,” he said. Regarding the event, he described it as “very, very elaborated and very nice, indeed.” He added, “We were here around 9:30 am, and the programme had already commenced. I really thank the organisers.”
Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, Adeyanju prayed for the strength to contribute similarly in the future. “I’m praying that God gives me strength, power, and money to do this myself, because if we can do this, we can help ourselves and our country,” he said.
Mrs Musunmola Shukura Sulaiman, the CDA chairman of Ikota Orile Community, also expressed immense gratitude to Tamar Foundation for the event. “We appreciate Tamar Foundation for the gesture, especially in the areas of free health screening, free drugs, and free food, both cooked and raw ones. We are very grateful,” she said.
Sulaiman described the scale of the outreach as “massive,” noting that close to 1,500 people attended and would not leave empty-handed. “It is something that I am happy about. I’m very, very happy because what they did today was so exciting. I never expected it to be this big. Although they did it last year, it wasn’t as grand as this year,” she said.
When asked about other organisations engaging in similar work, Sulaiman acknowledged their efforts but praised Tamar Homes Foundation’s impact. “We have them, but I think Tamar’s is the biggest,” she concluded.