Partnership marks 19 years of diaspora-backed healthcare interventions, with free medical, dental, eye and specialized services for residents
Lagos State Government and Eko Club International (ECI) have renewed their commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare as the Club prepares to commence its 2026 Mega Medical Mission, an 11-day humanitarian intervention offering free medical consultations, screenings, dental and eye care, medications and specialized medical services to residents across the State.
The mission, scheduled to hold from November 14 to 24, 2026, will bring together multidisciplinary teams of volunteer healthcare professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora to work alongside personnel of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and participating health facilities to deliver community-based healthcare services, with emphasis on preventive care, early detection and timely intervention.
Speaking on the exercise, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, described the initiative as a demonstration of the enduring partnership between Lagos State and the diaspora organization, noting that its significance extends beyond the immediate medical services to include professional collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity development. He disclosed that the medical mission was among the key resolutions of a conference organized by Eko Club International last year, which was attended by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, underscoring the State Government’s commitment to strengthening diaspora partnerships and translating engagements into tangible interventions that improve the wellbeing of Lagos residents.
Abayomi said, “This is the kind of partnership we value and want to sustain,” commending Eko Club International for translating its longstanding relationship with Lagos into practical interventions that have continued to benefit residents through free consultations, specialized medical services, medications, equipment and community health education. He added that the visiting professionals would work closely with local healthcare practitioners to strengthen existing healthcare delivery structures.
The Commissioner explained that the 2026 mission would provide residents with access to medical consultations, health screenings, dental services, vision assessments, health education and specialized medical and surgical interventions where indicated. He emphasized that the outreach would also facilitate the identification of previously undetected health conditions and appropriate referrals for further treatment, urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity rather than wait until health challenges become emergencies.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of ECI’s leadership, particularly the President, the 2026 Medical Mission Co-Chairs, Hon. Olatunji Anthonio and Hon. Dr Omotayo Ogunyemi, as well as the volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists and other supporting personnel. He urged residents of beneficiary communities to participate actively in the outreaches and appealed to the media to provide accurate information to ensure that those requiring the services are adequately informed. He noted that the success of the mission would be measured not merely by the number of people attended to, but by the conditions detected, care provided, referrals made and lasting impact on beneficiaries.
Speaking in the same vein, the President of Eko Club International, Dr Lola Ogbara-Alogba, disclosed that the 2026 mission marks 19 years of the organization’s humanitarian commitment to improving healthcare access in Lagos, dating back to 2007. She revealed that previous missions had recorded significant milestones, including approximately 10,000 beneficiaries in five days in 2012 and about 6,000 residents reached during the 2024 intervention. According to her, the interventions have covered medical consultations, diagnostic services, medications, dental care, eye examinations, eyeglasses, cancer screenings, surgical procedures and health education.
Ogbara-Alogba expressed appreciation to successive Lagos State administrations, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Health, for their sustained support and collaboration. She said the partnership exemplified the contribution of diaspora professionals to development at home, adding that ECI was looking beyond periodic medical missions to broader collaboration in healthcare capacity development, medical equipment support and sustainable community health interventions.
The 11-day medical mission will feature a series of community-based outreaches across seven locations in Lagos State, beginning on November 15 in Idimu, followed by Epe on November 16, Amuwo-Odofin on November 17, Apa in Badagry on November 18, Ikorodu on November 20 and Lagos Island on November 22. Daily services, commencing at 9:00 a.m., will include medical triage, vital signs assessment, consultations, pharmaceutical services, dental and vision care, including cataract screening, cervical cancer, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Hepatitis B screenings, malaria testing and public health education. The programme will also provide opportunities for community engagement, health awareness, data documentation and referrals for residents requiring further medical attention.
Beyond the community outreaches, the mission will feature specialized surgical screening for cataract, limb correction and spinal conditions on November 19, with surgical procedures continuing at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and an Ikorodu facility. Other activities include a donation ceremony by the ECI Women’s Forum at Gbagada General Hospital, collaboration with Rotary International on medical outreach, and the distribution of support materials to schools, widows and elderly persons. The programme will also feature a volunteers’ fundraising night on November 21 and an appreciation and recognition ceremony on November 23 to honour volunteers and partners whose contributions have sustained the initiative. The mission will conclude on November 24 with the departure of volunteers and a final assessment of activities.
The 2026 ECI Mega Medical Mission further reinforces the value of strategic partnerships in complementing government efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes. Both parties expressed optimism that the 19-year relationship would continue to evolve into more sustainable interventions, professional exchanges and stronger healthcare systems, while reaffirming their shared commitment to bringing essential medical services closer to underserved communities in Lagos State.
