… Over 500 residents benefit as biannual iCare Foundation medical outreach expands in scope

More than 500 residents of Ikorodu Federal Constituency on Saturday received free medical services as the Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation expanded the scope of its biannual medical outreach, bringing preventive healthcare, screening and basic medical intervention closer to residents at the grassroots.

The outreach, held at the Jimi Benson Constituency Office along Ebute-Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, offered residents access to a broad range of healthcare services, including health education, diabetes screening and intervention, general health screening, vision screening with free eyeglasses, dental checks and free medication.

Unlike interventions focused solely on treating existing illnesses, the programme placed significant emphasis on early detection and preventive healthcare, giving participants an opportunity to know more about their health status and seek professional attention where necessary.

The 2026 edition was deliberately scaled up from previous editions of the twice-in-a-year programme to accommodate a larger number of beneficiaries and broaden the range of medical services available to residents.

Speaking on the intervention, the Director-General of Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, said the decision to expand the programme was consistent with Rep. Babajimi Benson’s philosophy that effective representation must respond to the everyday needs of the people.

According to him, healthcare remains one of the areas where grassroots intervention can make an immediate difference in people’s lives, particularly at a time when the cost of accessing medical services continues to place pressure on families.

“Healthcare should not only be about what happens when someone is already seriously ill. Prevention, early detection and health education are equally important. This is why Rep. Babajimi Benson continues to support initiatives that provide basic healthcare directly to the people,” Mayor Sanwoola said.

He added that the large turnout demonstrated the need for sustained investment in community-based healthcare initiatives.

“The fact that more than 500 people came out to take advantage of this opportunity tells us something important: people want to know their health status and take care of themselves, but accessibility and cost can sometimes stand in the way. By bringing these services closer and making them free, we are helping to remove part of that barrier,” he added.

The outreach was coordinated by Alhaja Olabisi Odumbo, Coordinator of iCare Women, the women wing of the Jimi Benson’s iCare Foundation.

Alhaja Odumbo explained that the expanded edition was conceived with the understanding that many health conditions can be better managed when detected early.

She said the programme was designed not merely to distribute medicines but to encourage residents to pay closer attention to their health and develop the culture of regular medical checks.

“We wanted the second-tier of this year’s outreach to be broader because healthcare is not just about taking drugs when one is sick. It is also about knowing your body, checking your health regularly and getting professional advice before a small problem becomes a major one,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction with the turnout and thanked the medical personnel, volunteers and everyone who contributed to the successful execution of the programme.

The various components of the outreach allowed beneficiaries to undergo general health checks, diabetes screening, vision assessment and dental checks, while those requiring medication were provided with drugs at no cost.

The vision component was particularly beneficial to residents who were identified as needing corrective glasses, with eligible beneficiaries receiving free frames.

For some participants, the outreach provided an opportunity to address health concerns they had previously postponed because of financial considerations.

Several beneficiaries who spoke at the venue expressed appreciation to Rep. Benson and the iCare Foundation for sustaining the annual intervention, describing the expanded edition as timely and beneficial.

They also commended the medical personnel for their professionalism and the volunteers for ensuring that the large number of participants was attended to in an orderly manner.

The latest intervention adds to the growing portfolio of community-focused programmes facilitated through Rep. Babajimi Benson’s office and the iCare Foundation, which has consistently deployed interventions in healthcare, food support, education, youth development, business empowerment and other areas of community development.

For residents who participated in Saturday’s programme, however, the most significant takeaway was not simply the free medication or screening received, but the opportunity to become more conscious of their health.

The second leg of the year 2026 edition of the annual medical outreach therefore served as another reminder that community development is not only about roads, buildings and infrastructure; it is also about healthy people who are able to live, work and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

With more than 500 people reached in the expanded edition, the iCare Foundation’s medical intervention is expected to remain an important part of its continuing grassroots healthcare engagement across Ikorodu Federal Constituency.