Ilorin residents to benefit from free health screening Nov 26

By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho

To improve early disease detection and public awareness of preventive healthcare in Kwara State, a major free health screening targeting hundreds of Ilorin residents is set to be held later this month.

The event by the Craft Innovation Hub (CIH) will take place on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at its facility on Agbo Oba Road, Adeta, Ilorin. It will offer a range of tests, including cervical Pap smears, breast and prostate ultrasounds, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and basic vital checks such as blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI).

The initiative comes at a time when many Nigerians face rising healthcare costs and limited access to preventive medical services. Health experts have repeatedly warned that late diagnosis remains a leading cause of poor outcomes for common cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

CIH officials said the screening aims to reach between 200 and 300 direct beneficiaries out of an expected 400 to 500 attendees, with a gender balance of at least 100 men and 100 women.

The screening will begin at 10:00 a.m. with an opening session, followed by medical tests running until 4:00 p.m. CIH said it had briefed security agencies to help manage traffic and crowd control around the venue.

Participants will have access to female clinicians and privacy screens, while any abnormal findings will be immediately referred to partner health facilities. Results will be sent to individuals digitally via SMS, email, or a secure online portal.

Eligibility criteria include Pap smears for women aged 21–65 and PSA tests for men aged 40 and above, subject to clinical evaluation. Attendees are encouraged to bring previous medical reports and provide valid contact details.

Public health advocates in Ilorin have welcomed the development, saying it could help change attitudes toward preventive health checks. “A lot of people only visit hospitals when they are already sick,” said a local nurse. “Screenings like this can help save lives through early intervention.”

Beyond its immediate health benefits, the CIH screening is also expected to generate anonymised data that could inform local health planning. Organisers have pledged that all personal medical results will remain strictly confidential.