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By Muinat Usman
About two thousand Kwara state residents have benefited from the two-day free medical and surgical outreach carried out by the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, IMAN.
The outreach, which took place between Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August, 2026, was part of activities marking the association’s 27th National Conference holding in the state.
Speaking with journalists, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and overall coordinator of the conference, Professor Lukman Abdulrahman, said more than two hundred health professionals had volunteered for the exercise.
Professor Abdulrahman said the team comprises doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, medical record officers and other healthcare professionals.
He explained that the outreach covers medical consultations, eye care and cataract surgery, cervical cancer screening, family planning, laboratory investigations and other specialist services.
According to him, preliminary screening had been conducted across the three senatorial districts of Kwara through cottage and general hospitals, with close to one hundred surgical cases identified for treatment.
The coordinator noted that the growing turnout had exceeded initial expectations, making it necessary for the organisers to review their strategy to ensure efficient management of beneficiaries.
He said the organisers were determined to provide comprehensive care at first contact while linking patients requiring further treatment to appropriate healthcare facilities close to their communities.
Professor Abdulrahman identified hypertension and diabetes among the conditions being screened for, adding that laboratory investigations would also cover hepatitis and other health parameters.
He stressed that the outreach was open to everyone irrespective of religious affiliation, noting that healthcare should be provided without discrimination.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Professor Habeeb Omokanye, and the Secretary, Professor Muhammad Saliu Saeni, said the conference would feature workshops on psycho-trauma, student leadership, addiction prevention, Islamic cooperative development and the Ibada-friendly hospital initiative.
Professor Omokanye said the formal opening ceremony would hold on Thursday, August 27, followed by scientific paper presentations, symposia and the association’s annual general meeting, during which new national executives would be elected.
He said nearly one thousand delegates, including medical and nursing students, doctors and other allied health professionals from across the country, were expected to participate in the conference.
Professor Omokanye disclosed that specialists were already conducting cataract surgeries and distributing free eyeglasses to beneficiaries, while samples from surgical procedures would be sent to specialised laboratories for histological diagnosis.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with journalists commended the association for the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the people and an important way of giving back to society.
The organisers appealed for continued support from individuals and organisations to enable the association to expand the outreach and provide follow-up care for patients requiring long-term treatment.
Editing: Abdullah Ahmed
