Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Iyewo, a community-focused health initiative, has unveiled its market health plan aimed at providing routine medical checks and affordable healthcare for traders and market women in Lagos State.
Speaking at the launch at Mile 12 Market on Tuesday, Iyewo founder, Folake Idowu said the plan was inspired by her childhood experience in Oke Arin Market in Lagos, about the struggles traders face in accessing healthcare.
“We have developed the Iwosan Market Plan, which ensures that a certified community health worker visits beneficiaries weekly. We call this the Barefoot Clinic,” she explained.
Backed by Lagos Business School and local market leaders, the plan allows traders to pay a monthly fee of N4,000 for weekly medical care, consultations, and basic insurance.
Olayinka Dada of Lagos Business School revealed, “We conducted extensive research for over a year to understand and address the specific health challenges of market traders.”
The Jagunmolu of Mile 12, Chief Sowande Adesina, described the project as “timely and essential for the community,” while the Iyaloja of Orisumbare Market, Yeye Dupe Ojo, praised the initiative’s grassroots impact, saying, “Many of our people cannot afford hospital visits… so we approve it and we love it.”
For traders like Dasola Adebowale, the Barefoot Clinic is already making a difference. “Iyewo is very good for us because we traders do not have to leave our businesses to visit any healthcare centre,” she said, after learning about her high blood pressure during a free screening.
Ms Idowu emphasised that Iyewo aims to reach more markets across Lagos in the coming months, adding, “We want to meet people where they are and reach as many market women as possible.”
