Morganable News / Communities
A Lagos State mobile clinic provided medical care to 791 residents of Agboyi Ori-Omi between January and September 2026, while the community continues to need a functional primary healthcare centre.
Lagos —
Residents of underserved communities often face difficulties accessing healthcare because of transportation costs, distance and limited medical facilities.
These barriers can discourage people from seeking treatment early, especially when they cannot afford additional expenses.
In Agboyi Ori-Omi, within Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, a government-supported mobile healthcare scheme is helping to bring medical services closer to residents.
The EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) Rural Health Scheme has enrolled 2,546 residents and provided medical care to 791 beneficiaries during the first nine months of 2026.
However, the community’s need for a functional primary healthcare centre remains an important issue as authorities work to improve access to affordable medical services.
Mobile Clinic Expands Healthcare Access
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) disclosed the figures during a town hall meeting organised to assess the implementation of the scheme in Agboyi Ori-Omi.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, explained that the Rural Health Scheme was designed to address gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities and areas without functional primary healthcare centres.
Between January and September 2026, 791 enrolled residents accessed medical care through the initiative. Meanwhile, 2,546 residents had enrolled in the scheme since its introduction in the community.
The intervention provides an important option for residents who may struggle to reach conventional health facilities when they need medical attention.
For some households, transportation costs and other expenses can discourage early treatment. Bringing healthcare services closer to residents can reduce these barriers and provide a more accessible entry point into the healthcare system.
However, a mobile clinic cannot meet every medical need. Some patients require laboratory investigations, specialist consultations or treatment at facilities with more advanced equipment.
Consequently, effective referral arrangements remain essential to ensure that residents receive appropriate care when the mobile clinic cannot provide the services they need.
Residents Receive Treatment for Different Conditions
According to Zamba, the scheme has provided care for several health conditions, including urinary tract infections, general body pain, elevated blood pressure and diabetes.
She disclosed that 251 beneficiaries received treatment for urinary tract infections and general body pain, while 144 received care for elevated blood pressure. Another 63 beneficiaries received treatment for diabetes.
These figures highlight the range of medical concerns encountered through community healthcare delivery.
For instance, people living with hypertension or diabetes may require regular medical assessments, prescribed medicines and lifestyle guidance to manage their conditions.
Without continued care, these conditions can increase the risk of serious complications. Community-based services can therefore help residents obtain medical advice and understand the importance of following appropriate treatment plans.
Nevertheless, healthcare professionals must assess patients properly before deciding on treatment. Persistent body pain and other symptoms can have different causes, making accurate diagnosis important.
Medical personnel must also explain treatment instructions clearly and encourage patients to attend follow-up consultations when necessary.
Malaria Screening Identifies Positive Cases
The mobile clinic also conducted 410 malaria screenings during the nine-month period, with 66 tests returning positive results.
Zamba urged residents experiencing feverish symptoms to undergo appropriate testing before taking antimalarial medicines.
The advice highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis because fever can result from different illnesses. Testing helps healthcare professionals determine whether a patient has malaria and select the appropriate treatment.
Self-medication without proper assessment can lead to inappropriate drug use and delay the identification of other conditions.
Community health programmes can help address this challenge by providing screening, reliable information and access to qualified medical personnel.
Residents also need clear guidance on when to seek medical attention, particularly when symptoms persist or become severe.
The screening figures demonstrate how bringing basic diagnostic services closer to communities can support early assessment and encourage appropriate treatment.
However, screening must be accompanied by proper medical advice and access to treatment for people who test positive.
Referral Services Help Patients Access Further Care
Beyond treatment at the mobile clinic, the scheme facilitated 276 referrals to Mascara Primary Health Centre in Ketu and Gbagada General Hospital.
Zamba said the programme provided transportation arrangements for referred beneficiaries at no additional cost to them.
This support is significant because referrals can create additional financial and logistical difficulties for patients who need to travel to another facility.
A resident who cannot afford transportation may postpone a hospital visit, even when further investigation or treatment is necessary.
By addressing transportation costs for referred beneficiaries, the programme can help patients move from an initial consultation to more specialised care.
However, successful referrals require more than transportation. Receiving facilities must be able to accommodate patients and provide the necessary services.
Health authorities should therefore maintain effective communication between the mobile clinic and referral hospitals. They should also monitor whether patients complete their appointments and receive appropriate treatment.
Such follow-up can help identify gaps in the referral process and improve the quality of care available to residents.
Community Leaders Call for Continuity
The Olu of Agboyi Kingdom, Oba Monsuru Abimbola Adekanbi Oladega, commended the Lagos State Government for bringing healthcare services closer to residents.
The monarch said feedback from beneficiaries had been satisfactory and appealed to the authorities to sustain the initiative so that more people could benefit.
He also encouraged community members to take advantage of the mobile clinic when they need medical attention.
His appeal highlights the importance of maintaining public confidence in community healthcare programmes.
When residents understand how a service works and trust the people providing it, they may be more willing to seek medical attention and follow professional advice.
Community leaders can support this process by sharing accurate information, encouraging enrolment and directing residents towards authorised healthcare providers.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Adetola Aduni Abubakar, represented by the council secretary, Tajudeen Akinyemi, commended LASHMA for extending healthcare services to underserved residents.
However, the council urged the agency to address complaints and remove barriers affecting access to quality healthcare.
This feedback highlights the need for regular engagement between programme managers and the communities they serve. Authorities must listen to residents’ experiences and respond to problems that could prevent them from accessing care.
Functional Health Centre Remains a Priority
Although the mobile clinic has expanded access to medical services, a functional primary healthcare centre remains important to the community’s long-term needs.
A permanent facility can provide a consistent point of access for consultations, preventive services and routine medical care. It can also support follow-up appointments for residents who require continued monitoring.
The Rural Health Scheme was launched in Agboyi Ori-Omi on November 11, 2025, following an executive order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on July 16, 2024.
The state subsequently extended the initiative to Erikiti-Oglo in the Badagry Division on August 12, 2026, as part of efforts to improve healthcare access in underserved communities.
The expansion indicates an effort to reach residents who face difficulties accessing conventional healthcare services.
However, expansion must go hand in hand with adequate staffing, reliable medicines, effective referrals and clear accountability.
Maintaining the mobile clinic is particularly important while Agboyi Ori-Omi continues to need a functional primary healthcare centre.
Authorities should also communicate clearly about the services available, enrolment arrangements and how residents can access medical assistance.
Sustaining Affordable Community Healthcare
The enrolment of 2,546 residents and the treatment of 791 beneficiaries demonstrate the reach of the Agboyi Ori-Omi intervention during the period covered by the report.
However, these figures alone cannot establish whether every beneficiary received all the care required. Authorities must continue to assess the scheme’s performance and identify areas that need improvement.
This includes monitoring referrals, addressing complaints and ensuring that patients with chronic conditions can access follow-up services.
Residents also have a role to play by seeking medical advice when necessary, undergoing recommended tests and following professional treatment instructions.
Ultimately, mobile healthcare can provide important support to underserved communities, but its long-term impact depends on sustained funding, reliable service delivery and access to functional health facilities.
For Agboyi Ori-Omi, maintaining the mobile clinic while addressing the need for a functional primary healthcare centre would help strengthen access to medical services and support residents’ continuing healthcare needs.
