Medical students of Obafemi Awolowo University, through the IFUMSA Health Awareness Club, have provided free medical and surgical services to more than 200 residents of Moro Community in Osun State.
The annual outreach, organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University Medical Students’ Association, was aimed at improving access to basic healthcare for residents in underserved communities.
About 90 medical, dental and pharmacy students participated in this year’s exercise, with support from two surgeons and three perioperative nurses from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex.
The Chairperson of the Health Awareness Club, Oladipupo Ayomipo, a final-year medical student, in a statement on Sunday, said the outreach was part of the students’ efforts to give back to society.
She noted that the cost of healthcare remained a challenge for many Nigerians, making community-based interventions important in reaching people who might otherwise struggle to access basic medical services.
“We know healthcare is generally expensive and people pay out-of-pocket to be able to access basic healthcare services.
“This is why we continually make efforts to keep up with the project, and this year, we planned to make another impact in the lives of people in Moro Community,” she said.
The Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Aboderin Oluwatobiloba, said the programme was designed to promote equal access to healthcare regardless of residents’ economic circumstances.
“Basic healthcare services should be accessible to all, irrespective of their socioeconomic status,” Aboderin said.
Services provided during the outreach included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, hepatitis B and HIV screening, urinalysis, body mass index assessment, dental consultations and the provision of medications.
The surgical team also performed free day-case procedures, including lipoma excision, hernia repair, hydrocelectomy and breast lump excision.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the students and health professionals for bringing medical services closer to their community.
The latest intervention builds on the club’s 2025 outreach in Ede, Osun State, where residents received free medical consultations, medications, dental and eye care services and health education.