Medical professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora have expressed concern over the rising burden of chronic illnesses and inadequate access to quality healthcare services in the country, as hundreds of residents benefited from a free medical outreach held at the palace of the Olu of Orile-Ilawo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The outreach, held on Thursday at the royal palace in Ago-Ika, Ilawo, attracted residents from communities across Orile-Ilawo Kingdom and neighbouring settlements who turned out in large numbers for free consultations, medical examinations, health education and medications.
The annual healthcare intervention was organised under the leadership of Oba MacGregor and sponsored by the Otunba of Orile-Ilawo, Dr. Adesola Adewunmi, an American-trained physician committed to improving healthcare access in his ancestral community.
Speaking during the programme, Dr. Adesola Adewunmi, a United States-based physician with more than two decades of experience in internal and critical care medicine in Atlanta, said the initiative was inspired by the urgent need to bridge healthcare gaps affecting many Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains inadequate, leaving millions without access to timely medical care, especially in rural and underserved communities.
He noted that many Nigerian healthcare professionals living abroad are willing to return periodically at their own expense to provide medical services and support healthcare delivery across the country.
“Nigeria has a large population but not enough doctors. Many of us in the diaspora are willing to come back at our own expense to provide medical services and support healthcare delivery,” he said.
Dr. Adewunmi disclosed that he has participated in similar humanitarian medical missions for more than 13 years, providing healthcare interventions in different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
He stressed that healthcare intervention should not be limited to the prescription of drugs, noting that health education and preventive care remain critical tools in reducing the prevalence of diseases.
According to him, many health complaints often stem from lifestyle-related factors such as stress, dehydration, poor nutrition and inadequate rest, emphasizing the need for increased public awareness on healthy living.
The physician further explained that larger medical missions frequently involve specialists including surgeons, dentists and eye-care professionals who provide comprehensive treatment and interventions for patients.
Addressing challenges confronting volunteer medical missions in Nigeria, Dr. Adewunmi urged government agencies to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage diaspora professionals from bringing medical supplies and humanitarian assistance into the country.
He lamented that many volunteer groups face unnecessary difficulties at airports and other entry points while attempting to import medications and medical equipment intended for charitable healthcare programmes.
“We have people who genuinely want to help, but the process can be frustrating. Government should make it easier for healthcare professionals and humanitarian organisations to bring assistance into the country,” he said.
On the issue of poor adherence to treatment among patients suffering from chronic illnesses, Dr. Adewunmi identified economic hardship as one of the major reasons many Nigerians fail to maintain prescribed medications and routine hospital visits.
He called on governments at all levels to make essential medicines more affordable and expand healthcare access through effective health insurance schemes and social support programmes.
Also speaking, Dr. Adebukola Akinola said the outreach was designed to bridge the healthcare gap created by long waiting times and other barriers that discourage many Nigerians from seeking medical attention at hospitals.
She explained that the programme extended beyond routine screening, as participants were properly assessed by healthcare professionals, treated where necessary, provided medications and counselled on healthier lifestyle choices.
Dr. Akinola expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of diabetes among Nigerians, noting that the condition is rapidly becoming one of the most common health challenges encountered by medical practitioners.
“What we are beginning to see now is that poor blood sugar control and diabetes have become very common.
When patients present with symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue or high blood pressure, one of the first things we check is their blood glucose level,” she said.
The physician emphasized that while conditions such as hypertension and diabetes may not be completely curable, they can be effectively managed through strict adherence to medications, healthy dietary habits, regular exercise and routine medical monitoring.
She urged Nigerians not to abandon prescribed medications once symptoms improve, warning that inconsistent treatment often leads to complications that could otherwise be prevented.
Speaking on the significance of the outreach, the Olori of Orile-Ilawo Kingdom, Dr. Omolara Fashola-MacGregor, described the programme as a flagship healthcare intervention initiated by Oba MacGregor shortly after his ascension to the throne.
According to her, the monarch’s background as a Professor of Pharmacology has strengthened his commitment to improving the wellbeing of residents across the kingdom and neighbouring communities.
She disclosed that organisers projected between 2,000 and 3,000 beneficiaries for this year’s outreach, noting that information about the programme had been widely circulated across the kingdom’s more than 167 towns and villages.
Dr. Fashola-MacGregor commended the sponsor, Dr. Adesola Adewunmi, for his continued dedication to the welfare of the people and his readiness to support initiatives that improve access to healthcare.
She explained that beneficiaries underwent various medical examinations and screenings, while those requiring advanced treatment beyond the capacity of the outreach were referred to appropriate hospitals and specialist medical centres for further care.
The Olori advised residents to place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare, stressing that maintaining good health remains essential for personal productivity and community development.
“Health is wealth. Without good health, it is difficult to achieve anything meaningful in life. Everyone must take their health seriously, seek medical attention when necessary and make healthy living a priority,” she said.
Hundreds of residents who attended the outreach expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the programme as timely and beneficial amid prevailing economic challenges and rising healthcare costs.
The organisers pledged to sustain the annual initiative and expand its reach to more communities in the coming years, expressing optimism that stronger collaboration between local stakeholders and diaspora healthcare professionals would help reduce the burden of preventable diseases and improve healthcare access across Ogun State.
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