Author: Elizabeth Shoyemi
Imagine living in a community where you have little or no access to adequate healthcare services. You may face various challenges, such as lack of awareness, negligence, and other behavioural factors that affect your health and well-being. This is the reality for many communities in Lagos state, Nigeria. But there is hope.
At the Centre for Population Health Initiatives (CPHI), we believe that everyone deserves quality health care, regardless of their location, status or background. That is why we conduct interventional outreaches to communities that face this kind of challenge. We have a selfless team of medical and social workers who go the extra mile to bring health care to the people who need it most. As the saying goes, “If the Mountain doesn’t go to Mohammed, then Mohammed must come to the Mountain”. This is the spirit that drives our team.
On the 6th of June, 2023, we embarked on a trip to Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. Epe is a rural area with several locations that lack basic healthcare facilities and services. Our team visited places such as (Ito-ikin, Behind Dangote refinery/Ejirin, Alasia ghetto, Aboki village, and Marwa/Ikate ghetto) over a period of 3 days. Our aim was to increase HIV screening and treatment in these communities, as well as provide other services such as Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) services, STI screenings, mental health care, and wound dressing. We also reached out to vulnerable and marginalized populations such as high-risk men, people who use drugs, female sex workers, and fishermen. We provided all these services at no cost to the beneficiaries.
Centre for Population Health Initiatives is leaving its mark by taking health care services to as many communities that require immediate intervention.