Bamofin Ladipo Johnson’s JIPI provides free healthcare to hundreds in Yaba
By KEMI KASUMU
“Good health is the foundation upon which individuals, families, and communities thrive,” Johnson said.
Hundreds of residents of Iwaya, Yaba and neighbouring communities in Lagos Central Senatorial District have benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Johnson Initiative for Positive Impact (JIPI), an initiative sponsored by legal practitioner and Lagos Central Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Bamofin Ladipo Johnson.
The grassroots healthcare intervention, held at the St. Francis Anglican Church Hall in Iwaya, provided residents with access to essential medical services at no cost, in response to the growing financial burden associated with healthcare delivery.
The programme was organised by JIPI in partnership with NDC Lagos Central and the Ilera F’Agba Foundation.
The outreach offered a range of medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, malaria testing, medical consultations, eye examinations and the distribution of reading glasses to senior citizens aged 50 years and above.
Beneficiaries also received basic prescribed over-the-counter medications as part of the intervention.
The organisers said the initiative was designed to provide immediate medical relief to vulnerable residents, many of whom may have delayed seeking medical attention because of financial difficulties.
One of the major highlights of the exercise was the identification of a resident suffering from severe and advanced cataracts affecting both eyes.
According to the organisers, medical personnel attending to the patient recognised the seriousness of the condition and immediately initiated further action in collaboration with the initiative’s medical partners.
Following specialised consultations, the patient has reportedly been scheduled for a sponsored bilateral cataract surgery at no cost, an intervention expected to restore the individual’s sight and improve their independence.
Speaking on the initiative, Bamofin Ladipo Johnson said the outreach reflected his commitment to improving the welfare of residents at the grassroots.
He stressed that access to quality healthcare should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a privilege available only to those who could afford it.
“Good health is the foundation upon which individuals, families, and communities thrive,” Johnson said.
“This outreach is about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our people. Many illnesses become life-threatening simply because they are diagnosed too late. By encouraging regular checks, early detection, and following through with critical interventions like surgery, we help people take control of their lives before conditions become critical.”
The organisers said the programme also underscored the importance of community-based healthcare interventions in tackling non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, as well as preventable or treatable vision-related conditions.
They noted that early detection and timely intervention could help prevent serious health complications while also reducing the financial burden that often accompanies advanced illnesses.
Grassroots leaders and beneficiaries reportedly commended the initiative for its organisation, accessibility and timing, particularly against the backdrop of the current economic difficulties confronting many Nigerian households.
For several elderly beneficiaries, the provision of free medical checks, reading glasses and medications offered much-needed relief and access to services that might otherwise have been unaffordable.
The organisers said the medical outreach was part of JIPI’s broader commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society through sustainable, community-based programmes.
They added that the initiative would continue to focus on expanding access to essential services, promoting preventive healthcare and contributing to improved living conditions for residents across Lagos Central.
