The Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital has organised the maiden edition of its School Ready Health Outreach, providing free medical services to school children from communities across Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and Ojokoro LCDA.
The two-day outreach, themed “Healthy Children; Bright Future,” was organised in collaboration with the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and Ojokoro LCDA. The programme targets about 700 children aged between five and 15, with services including paediatric assessments, dental and eye screenings, nutrition and dietetics counselling, social welfare support and health education.
The Medical Director/CEO of the hospital, Dr. Oluyemi Taiwo, said the initiative was designed to promote health awareness and ensure children are physically, mentally, socially and emotionally prepared for the new academic session. She stressed the importance of early detection, noting that some health conditions may go unnoticed by parents and children until they become more serious.
Taiwo also disclosed that the hospital has expanded some of its services to better meet the needs of the community, including an expanded general theatre aimed at reducing waiting times for surgeries and increased bed capacity in the Medical Surgeries Ward.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Olukayode Oguntimehin, described the outreach as timely, emphasising the importance of preventive healthcare, early detection and timely intervention. He noted that undetected conditions such as poor vision, dental problems and nutritional deficiencies can negatively affect children’s academic performance, growth and overall wellbeing.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olajide Dapo Thomas, represented by Dr. Masida Erinosho, also highlighted the importance of routine health screening, urging parents to prioritise preventive care rather than waiting until their children become seriously ill.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Ojokoro LCDA and the Lagos State Health Service Commission, commended the initiative and called for its sustainability. They stressed that investing in children’s health would contribute to building a healthier and more productive future generation.
The outreach also featured goodwill messages from healthcare stakeholders, partners and donors, as well as recognition awards for some dignitaries who supported the initiative.
