From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has sponsored a two-day free medical and surgical outreach for about 1,500 indigent residents of Ijagbo and neighbouring communities in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The exercise, organised under the auspices of the Ijagbo Descendants Union (IDU), Medico-Surgical Outreach 2026, provided beneficiaries with medical consultations, laboratory investigations, drugs and surgical assessment, among other services.
Speaking during the outreach, Fagbemi said bringing healthcare services closer to rural residents remained critical to improving access to quality medical care.
He called for sustained investment in primary healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, stressing that residents should be able to access essential health services without travelling long distances.
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The minister said the initiative was also designed to complement the Renewed Hope Health Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the turnout at the programme underscored the need for regular medical interventions in rural communities.
Fagbemi said the outreach should not be treated as a one-off intervention, noting that the response recorded on the first day had strengthened plans to extend similar services to other communities in Oyun Local Government Area.
The AGF disclosed that arrangements were being made for subsequent medical outreaches across more communities before the end of the year, while urging other stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery.
On the migration of Nigerian health professionals abroad, popularly known as “japa”, Fagbemi said the trend had both positive and negative implications.
He noted that the demand for Nigerian-trained doctors and other health professionals in foreign countries demonstrated the quality and competence of the country’s medical training, but stressed the need for increased investment in the training and certification of healthcare workers.
According to him, some Nigerian professionals who acquired experience abroad were already returning home to contribute to the development of the health sector.
A member of the Health Advisory Committee, Prof. Uthman Mubashir, said the outreach covered residents of Ijagbo and surrounding communities, with hypertension, diabetes, ulcer and musculoskeletal pains among the common conditions identified.
Mubashir, an expert in Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), said beneficiaries also underwent screening for hepatitis and HIV.
“The screening is to ensure that people know their status. There is also Rapid Diagnostic Test for malaria and also screening for pulmonary tuberculosis,” he said.
He added that some beneficiaries were found to have hernia, hydrocele and lumps requiring surgical intervention.
The Chairman of the Ijagbo Community Health Committee, Dr Wale Adeoti, commended the minister for the intervention and advised beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the medical advice and prescriptions provided by healthcare professionals.
Adeoti said beneficiaries went through health education and promotion, vital-sign checks, medical consultations, laboratory investigations and pharmacy services.
The Onijagbo of Ijagbo, Oba Sharafadeen Babalola, also commended Fagbemi for the initiative, describing it as evidence of the importance attached to the health and wellbeing of the people.
The monarch urged residents of Ijagbo and neighbouring communities to take full advantage of the programme and continue to support the minister with prayers.
Two beneficiaries, Samuel Kolo and Jumoke Adeoti, expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying they received free consultations and medicines, as well as food and drinks during the exercise.
