In the crowded markets of Nigeria, where traders work long hours, health care frequently falls by the wayside.
Many vendors prioritize their business over doctor visits, occasionally overlooking health issues until they develop into severe conditions.
Meet Doctor Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, a healthcare pioneer serving her community by taking medical services to the people who need them most.
Recognizing the absence of accessible healthcare for underprivileged communities, Ayo-Oyalowo steps in to fill the gap.
Instead of expecting patients to come to clinics, she brings medical care right to the markets, offering consultations, screenings, and basic treatments at reasonable prices.
“Market Doctors came about from my experience in healthcare. I noticed that many people couldn’t afford medical care, because they couldn’t leave their work or afford the cost of travel to see a doctor. They ended up leaving hospitals against advice, simply because they lacked access to primary healthcare,” she explains.
Ayo-Oyalowo established the project in 2017. She employs 17 people and collaborates with hundreds of volunteers. Her operations are also supported by private and corporate donations.
“Bringing healthcare to people in their everyday environment eliminates indirect costs like transportation, time away from work, and long waiting periods. We enable the integration of health care with their shopping routine,” she notes.
This is an essential service in Nigeria, where the World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000, whereas the current reality is only 1:2500.
Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/04/21/nigerias-market-doctors-bring-healthcare-directly-to-traders/
