Abayomi Susan
The Gladys Fagbemi Elderly Care Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to community healthcare by providing free medical services to more than 500 elderly residents during its annual medical outreach held on Friday in Surulere, Lagos.
The outreach featured comprehensive health screenings, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, free eye examinations, and the distribution of prescription eyeglasses to beneficiaries. Medical professionals also prescribed and dispensed medications where necessary, while palliative packages were distributed to attendees.
The event attracted hundreds of residents who turned out to benefit from the initiative, which has become a yearly intervention aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of elderly members of the community.
Speaking with journalists, the Founder of the Foundation, Princess Aderemi Fagbemi, popularly known as Mama’s Child, said the outreach was organised to preserve the legacy of her late mother, Gladys Fagbemi, and to commemorate the third anniversary of the passing of her sister, Pastor Aderele Fagbemi-Lamai.
“Today, we are celebrating the life and legacy of my late mother, Gladys Fagbemi, as well as the three-year memorial of my sister, Pastor Aderele Fagbemi-Lamai,” she said.
According to her, the outreach marks the sixth edition of the Foundation’s annual free medical programme for the elderly, an initiative inspired by her late mother’s lifelong passion for caring for senior citizens.
“My mother was a nurse who dedicated her life to serving others. She had great compassion for the elderly, and that inspired us to establish the Gladys Fagbemi Elderly Care Foundation to continue her humanitarian legacy,” she explained.
Princess Fagbemi expressed satisfaction at being able to impact lives within the community where she was born and raised.
“I am delighted to give back to this community and put smiles on the faces of our elderly citizens. My prayer is that this initiative will outlive me and continue through future generations of my family,” she added.
Outreach to Remain in Surulere
Responding to questions on whether the annual outreach would be extended to other communities, Princess Fagbemi stated that the elderly care programme would remain in Surulere in honour of her late mother.
“Surulere was my mother’s home throughout her married life, and it is where we were born and raised. Holding this outreach here is our way of preserving her memory and fulfilling her wishes,” she said.
She, however, noted that the family also operates the Hadassah Global Foundation, a separate humanitarian organisation with activities across approximately ten countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Kenya, Tanzania and the Philippines.
“Unlike the elderly care initiative, which is dedicated to Surulere, the Hadassah Global Foundation has a wider international reach and is not limited to any particular location,” she said.
Over 500 Beneficiaries Receive Medical Care
Princess Fagbemi disclosed that over 500 elderly residents benefited from this year’s outreach.
“We distributed about 500 registration cards, and almost every beneficiary attended with their card. Even those without cards were attended to because we consider everyone here as family,” she stated.
She added that the outreach was supported by a team of experienced medical professionals, including eight doctors, four optometrists, a matron and four nurses.
According to her, the programme has remained fully funded by members of the Fagbemi family.
“By God’s grace, the family has continued to finance this initiative because we are committed to sustaining our mother’s legacy of compassion and service,” she said.
Growing Impact
Reflecting on the programme’s growth over the years, Princess Fagbemi described previous challenges as stepping stones that have contributed to its success.
“Each year, attendance continues to increase. Initially, the outreach served only residents within this immediate community, but today we have beneficiaries from areas such as Shitta and Akerele,” she said.
She disclosed that plans are underway to relocate next year’s outreach to the Love Garden Community due to the increasing number of participants.
“We have clearly outgrown the frontage of my mother’s residence, which has hosted this programme over the years,” she noted.
Calls for Greater Public-Private Collaboration
Princess Fagbemi also stressed the importance of collaboration between government and private organisations in improving healthcare delivery.
“The government is playing its part, but healthcare cannot be left to government alone. Individuals, families and private organisations must also contribute to improving access to quality healthcare,” she said.
She recalled that medical personnel from the Lagos State Ministry of Health participated in last year’s outreach, describing the partnership as encouraging.
Family Legacy of Compassion
Also speaking, Prophetess Dr. Augustina Ifeanyi Uche Ueamaka, a niece of the late Gladys Fagbemi, described the deceased as a naturally compassionate woman whose generosity reflected a long-standing family tradition.
She explained that her grandfather, who was also a medical practitioner, was widely known for offering free treatment to those unable to afford medical care.
“My grandfather never turned away anyone because they couldn’t pay. Mama inherited that same spirit of kindness and generosity, and what we are witnessing today is simply a continuation of that legacy,” she said.
Beneficiaries Express Appreciation
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the free medical services.
One of them, Pa Ade Kayode, commended the organisers and expressed hope of contributing financially to the initiative in the future.
“This Foundation is doing an excellent job. I sincerely hope that one day I will be in a position to support this noble cause because it is transforming lives,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Mary Irabor, described the late Gladys Fagbemi as a respected mother figure within their church community.
“I had my blood sugar and blood pressure checked, consulted the doctor, received a prescription and will now collect my medication. We are truly grateful for this intervention,” she said.
The annual medical outreach continues to serve as a lasting tribute to the humanitarian legacy of the late Gladys Fagbemi while providing much-needed healthcare support to elderly residents in Surulere.
