Market doctors hit the streets to reach poor traders needing medical care

Many Nigerians aren't able to access primary health care, according to numerous studies into the country's public health system. Now, an enterprising Lagos doctor has set up in a market to treat traders forced to prioritize work over their own health. In Nigeria’s bustling markets, where traders work from dawn to dusk, health often takes a back seat. Many market women and men prioritize their businesses over doctor visits, sometimes ignoring health issues until they become serious problems. Now, the traders have become familiar with another business plying for trade in the marketplace: Dr. Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, a health entrepreneur. Ayo-Oyalowo recognized the need to bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved communities. Rather than waiting for patients to visit clinics, she brings healthcare directly to them. She sets up mobile medical stations in the markets, offering consultations, health screenings, and minor treatment at affordable rates. Ayo-Oyalowo says her Market Doctors initiative has reached over 400,000 patients, creating greater accessibility to basic medicine and treatment. "Market Doctors is as a result of the experience I've had in the healthcare sector. One, I found that people could really not afford medical care, so you see people discharging themselves in hospitals against medical advice. But they got to this point because they didn't have access to primary healthcare," she says. "There's a hidden cost of healthcare: the cost of transportation, the cost of not going to work, and the long queues. So, by bringing healthcare to people in their natural habitat, we've cut out all of those costs so they can add healthcare to their shopping bags." Ayo-Oyalowo launched the project in 2017, and she employs 17 people and works with hundreds of volunteers. Some of her funding comes from private or corporate donations. Market Doctors say their services are subsidized, and they are able to partner with major pharmaceutical companies for drugs and consumables. People who need more intensive care are referred to hospitals. This article was provided by The Associated Press.