About 200 traders benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the nursing department of Gbagada General Hospital at Bariga Market in Lagos on Wednesday.

The hospital’s apex nurse, Temitayo Olotu, said the outreach was organised to commemorate Nursing Week and enable residents to experience the impact of nursing services beyond hospital walls.

Ms Olotu said the programme was targeted at market women and men to enlighten them on the importance of regular check-ups and the need to prioritise their health.

The beneficiaries underwent free blood pressure screening, blood sugar tests, malaria tests, chest X-rays, and received free drugs, among other services.

“We decided to come to Bariga Market to render free services and allow people to feel our impact as nurses.

“These people do not come to the hospital regularly, and that is why we are here—to educate them, check their blood pressure and sugar levels, conduct chest X-rays, and provide free drugs,” she said.

Ms Olotu, who is also the Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, said the profession remained central to healthcare delivery, with nurses serving as caregivers, advocates, educators, and managers in the sector.

“Virtually everyone will encounter nurses at some point in life, and this reflects the indispensable role we play in promoting health and saving lives.

“We serve as advocates, managers, and teachers. We are the people who care. Nurses are the heartbeat of the nation,” she said.

She commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government in improving healthcare delivery, adding that more investment was needed in modern equipment and conducive working environments.

Also speaking, Acting Chairperson of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Gbagada General Hospital chapter, Mary Babatunde, said the programme was initiated to promote public health awareness.

Ms Babatunde said another aim was to ensure that members of the community benefited directly from activities marking the annual celebration of the nursing profession.

According to her, many traders and residents rarely find time to visit healthcare facilities because of their busy schedules and work commitments.

Ms Babatunde noted that some individuals assumed they were healthy simply because they did not feel sick, stressing that regular medical check-ups remained essential for the early detection of diseases.

“We have dedicated this week to celebrating nurses and also want people in the community to benefit from the programme through health education and free medical services,” she said.

The nurse, who commended the Lagos State Government’s efforts towards the welfare of nurses, called for more training to enhance the capacity of nurses in the state.

Some of the beneficiaries commended the nurses for their efforts in healthcare delivery and urged the government to support their work through better remuneration.

(NAN)