Citizens Health Initiative Nigeria Conducts Health Screening and Navigator Training in Shitta, Surulere on World Health Day

On World Health Day, Citizens Health Initiative Nigeria (CHIN) brought free preventive health services directly to over 100 residents of Shitta, Surulere, Lagos, through a community health screening and navigator training initiative focused on early detection, health education, and improving access to healthcare.

The initiative provided residents with free screenings for hypertension and diabetes, along with Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments. During the outreach, medical teams identified dozens of residents living with previously undetected high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, connecting them with immediate medical guidance.

The programme also completed training for 42 community health navigators to strengthen participants' ability to understand health information, identify available healthcare services, and support neighbours in navigating the healthcare system. The initiative aligned with the World Health Organization's theme, “Building a fairer, healthier world”, a call to address health inequities and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to quality healthcare.

The outreach specifically targeted underserved communities in Shitta, where financial constraints and limited access to health information and healthcare services can make regular medical check-ups difficult to afford. By bringing free screenings and health education directly to the community, CHIN aimed to reduce these barriers and empower residents with greater knowledge about their health and available healthcare resources.

During the outreach, healthcare professionals provided blood pressure checks, Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, blood sugar testing and nutritional counselling. Attendees also received personalised health counselling to help them understand their health status and receive practical advice to maintain or improve their overall well-being. Education focused on informed lifestyle choices, including reducing salt and sugar intake, healthy eating, regular physical activity and stress management.

The navigator training component focused on strengthening participants' understanding of healthcare access and helping them better connect individuals with appropriate health information and services. Through this approach, CHIN sought to extend the impact of the outreach beyond the screening event itself and strengthen community-level support for accessing healthcare.

May Ubeku, Head of Program at CHIN, said: “This outreach in Shitta was designed to reach individuals who may not have regular access to healthcare services. With hypertension being so prevalent yet often undetected, community screenings can help identify potential health risks early. This initiative reflects our commitment to making preventive healthcare more accessible to Nigerians, starting right in our communities.”

The screening session attracted residents from across Shitta and surrounding areas of Surulere, many of whom expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have their health checked free of charge.

Regular screening can support the early identification and management of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which may not produce noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Understanding key health indicators, including blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI, can help individuals take timely action to protect their health.

Citizens Health Initiative Nigeria encouraged residents to monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar and weight regularly; reduce salt, sugar and alcohol consumption; maintain a healthy weight; eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables; engage in regular physical activity; avoid tobacco use; and follow prescribed medications when diagnosed with a health condition.

The organisation also called on government authorities to prioritise the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases through increased investment in screening programmes, improved access to affordable medicines and strengthened public health education.

CHIN pledged to continue its community outreach programmes across Lagos and beyond, with plans to expand screening and health education activities to five additional underserved communities in upcoming phases. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming health initiatives through the organisation's communication channels.