A coalition of health-focused charity organisations and Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation has reaffirmed the power of strategic partnerships in delivering quality healthcare to underserved communities, following a successful free medical outreach held in Ikorodu on Saturday.

The outreach, spearheaded by Sudabelt Medical as the lead partner in collaboration with NOELLA Foundation, O.N.I. Foundation, and Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation, brought together healthcare professionals, volunteers, community leaders and beneficiaries for a day dedicated to preventive healthcare, medical intervention and support for persons living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

Designed primarily for Sickle Cell warriors, the outreach provided free medical consultations, health assessments, counselling and medications. Members of the public also benefited from free malaria screening, genotype testing and access to prescribed medications, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to promoting healthier communities through early diagnosis and accessible treatment.

The programme received an unexpected morale boost when the Member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, paid a surprise visit to the outreach, interacting with beneficiaries, medical personnel and volunteers while commending the collaborating organisations for complementing government’s efforts in improving healthcare delivery.

A defining moment of the event came when representatives of the Sickle Cell community appealed to the federal lawmaker to facilitate discussions with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), managers of the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme, with a view to securing special concessions for persons living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

Responding, Rep. Benson assured the warriors that he would engage the appropriate authorities on the matter, expressing optimism that increased access to affordable healthcare would significantly improve the quality of life of those living with the condition.

Speaking on behalf of Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation, the outreach coordinator, Comrade Patricia Okosodo, Supervisor for Health in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, described the programme as another expression of the Foundation’s commitment to promoting community health through partnerships with reputable humanitarian organisations.

She noted that the collaboration reflects the Foundation’s belief that sustainable healthcare interventions are best achieved when government, non-governmental organisations and development partners work together in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

Also speaking, Mr. Christian Ozotoye of NOELLA Foundation applauded the collaboration with Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation, noting that partnerships built on a shared vision for humanity make it possible to reach more people with quality healthcare services.

According to him, the impressive turnout recorded at the outreach demonstrates both the healthcare needs within the community and the importance of sustaining similar interventions in the future.

Dr. Ariel Takly, one of the medical experts participating in the outreach, emphasised that preventive healthcare remains one of the most effective ways of reducing the burden of disease within communities. He stressed the importance of regular genotype testing, malaria screening and continuous medical support for people living with Sickle Cell Disorder, describing the collaboration as a model worthy of replication across other communities.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the partner organisations and Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation for the initiative, describing the outreach as timely and impactful, particularly at a period when the cost of accessing quality healthcare continues to rise.

The successful exercise further highlights the growing role of Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation in fostering meaningful collaborations that deliver practical interventions in healthcare, education, youth development and community empowerment, while reinforcing the importance of collective action in improving the wellbeing of residents across Ikorodu Federal Constituency.