In a bid to promote health awareness and early detection of medical conditions, Redeemer’s Health Village marked its first anniversary with a free community health outreach at Ikeja City Mall on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Edith Onome, Head of Communications at Redeemer’s Health Village, explained the choice of venue, “Ikeja City Mall attracts between 19,000 to 21,000 visitors daily, making it a strategic location to reach a large and diverse audience. Our goal is to bring healthcare closer to where people live, work, and socialize. Many individuals postpone hospital visits due to busy schedules or lack of awareness, often waiting until their health issues become severe. By offering free health checks in a familiar, high-traffic environment, we hope to promote early detection, raise health awareness, and encourage proactive medical care”, she said.
The initiative, described as a health fair, brought basic medical services directly to the public, including tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, eye pressure, and hepatitis B.
According to Onome, the outreach was aimed at improving public health. She stressed the importance of early detection and regular health checks. “Basic checks like blood sugar and pressure levels are things we should not ignore. These small actions can prevent serious conditions and even save lives,” she added.
As a faith-based medical institution, Redeemer’s Health Village integrates science and faith in its approach. “We pray, but we also take steps to check our health. Medicine and faith work together. Prayers are essential, but there are some medical issues that require early diagnosis and treatment,” Onome said.
One participant was discovered to have a blood pressure reading of 193, a random blood sugar level of 337mg/dL (well above the normal 140mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) ), and tested positive for hepatitis B. He had no prior knowledge of his health condition. “This is exactly why we are here,” Onome said. “To detect issues early before they become emergencies.”
She also clarified that while the outreach was not funded by formal sponsors, some individuals offered support. “We do not have sponsors per se. This is mainly a hospital-led initiative to give back to the community,” she noted.
Onome called on both the public and the government to place greater value on preventive healthcare. “Just as we started the outreach today, someone who came to buy some bread decided to stop for a quick health check. That moment of decision might prevent a health crisis in the future. If private organisations can do this, then with government support, we could reach even more people,” she said.
The event also served as a registration point for new patients. People were offered discounted rates to register with the hospital and benefit from continued medical care. Those who were found with severe conditions were referred for follow-up treatment, and an ambulance was stationed at the venue.
Redeemer’s Health Village, located in Redemption City, is a 300-bed multi-specialist hospital. It houses the largest MRI machine in West Africa, with a 70cm bore suitable for claustrophobic or larger patients. The facility also includes a 160 slice CT scan, level-3 laboratory unit capable of running multiple tests, and dedicated intensive care units for adults and newborns.
Now in its first year, the hospital is already receiving referrals from federal institutions.
