Delivering free primary healthcare in Nigeria with microclinics
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- Relevant Data
- Region š³š¬ Nigeria
- Sector š Health
- Patients treated 1,342
- Most common illness treated Malaria
- Plastic waste recycled 17 lbs
This project, in collaboration with theĀ AHA Initiative, establishes and maintains micro clinics in Nigeria to provide low-income citizens with free primary healthcare, including consultations, medications, and treatments.
Why is this work necessary?
Approximately 60% of Nigeria's population is multidimensionally poor, and 40% live below the world poverty line of $1.90 per day. This dire economic situation forces citizens to make an impossible choice between sustenance and health. As a result, families are losing loved ones to easily treatable diseases that have had widely available cures for decades.
Malaria, a disease curable since 1932, remains Nigeria's leading cause of death, claiming over 200,000 lives annually. This tragic loss of life could be largely prevented with access to primary healthcare. However, only 20% of affordable government primary care centres are functional, leaving families with the heart-wrenching decision: "Do I eat? or do I buy some medicine?"
The solution
AHA Initiative converts unused, community-donated spaces (from churches or supermarkets) into micro clinics, each serving up to 4,000 patients annually. Clinics operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who is AHA Initiative?
AHA Initiative, founded in 2022 by Tolani Yesufu, is a Nigerian nonprofit focused on transforming local healthcare delivery.
Under Tolani's leadership, the AHA Initiative is building and advocating for sustainable healthcare solutions in Africa and ensuring healthcare remains a fundamental right for all Nigerians.Ā
Tolani's background includes education at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Columbia Business School, and Cornell University.Ā Her efforts with the AHA Initiative were recognized when the organization won the Samuel Huntington Award, further validating the importance and impact of their work.
How this will work
Securing locations
Deep local community support, initially fostered by the AHA Initiative in 2022, ensures spaces, rent, and utilities are provided free of charge.
Staffing and stocking
Each clinic employs two experienced registered nurses supported by volunteer medical doctors from a willing local network.
Clinics are equipped with locally sourced medical equipment, medications, feminine menstrual products, and mosquito nets.
Local pharmacy support
Local pharmacies donate medications and supplies periodically, supplementing the clinicās capacity.
Community recycling
A plastic recycling programme integrated into each clinic allows community members and businesses to contribute plastic waste, generating additional operational funds through recycling.
Impact and outcomes of this work
Scaling this locally led initiative significantly reduces preventable diseases, improving community health affordably and effectively.
Each micro clinic provides free primary healthcare to approximately 4,000 low-income Nigerians annually.
Updates
From the field
February report from Oworoshoki clinic now available

Posted 17 Mar 2025
We've just published the February report from the clinic in Oworoshoki. You can read the report here.
Also, here's a video of one of the best beneficiaries. It's in Yoruba, but English subtitles have been added.
Clinic Goes Digital: EHR Training & Upgrade

Posted 25 Feb 2025
The medical staff at the clinic completed their 3-hour electronic health records (EHR) training with Ajirmed in the last week of January. Hereās lead Nurse Adegbola (Nurse B), Nurse Chioma, Nursing assistant and front desk admin Blessing, with their instructor from Ajirmed.
Ajirmedās system is very user-friendly, and the clinicās medical team are even more excited to adopt it!
The clinic started a āsoft migrationā to the EHR this month (February) and plans to migrate to Ajirmedās EHR system by March 1st fully!
Bonus pic: One of the clinicās little patients who showed up for treatment with his mom during the training :)
Free Healthcare for 312 Patients in Lagos

Posted 17 Feb 2025
In January, the micro-clinic provided free primary healthcare to 312 patients, the youngest of whom was a one-year-old girl.
You can read the report here: January report
Meet David: One of our younger patients at the clinic

Posted 15 Jan 2025
Hi all! Excited to introduce you to David, one of our younger patients at the clinic.
David, a 5-year-old boy from Oworoshoki, presented with malaria symptoms, including a severely high fever in December. Thankfully, he was able to access healthcare through the clinicĀ early enoughĀ - a crucial action necessary to prevent deaths from malaria, especially in young children 5 years of age and younger. David was treated promptly at the clinic by Nurse Chioma and is doing amazing now!
Some other exciting updates:
Nurse Chioma, our second registered nurse at the clinic, joined us in early December. She works alongside Nurse B. at the clinic. Nurse Chioma is highly qualified, caring, and friendly, with core experiences leading health equity initiatives and care delivery in primary health care and sexual and reproductive health. As a reminder, the clinic is manned daily by two highly qualified registered nurses, our lead Nurse B and Nurse Chioma, and occasionally supported by our network of volunteer physicians!
We secured an in-person training date with Ajirmed to train clinic staff on operating the Ajirmed electronic health record system. Once this training is complete, we will migrate to an EHR system as a fully tech-driven facility - aiding data collection, improved workflow, care delivery, and clinic & inventory management.
The first clinic committee kickoff was a success! As a reminder, the clinic is overseen by a carefully selected group of diverse community members who meet monthly to discuss the clinic's progress. This ensures that the clinic remains community-centred, with the voices of those in the Oworoshoki community at the forefront of the clinicās ethos. The committee will meet on an ongoing basis at the start of each month to discuss the clinic operations from the previous month.
Thank you!
First month sees 337 patients at Oworoshoki clinic

Posted 10 Jan 2025
I've got the first report from the clinic for the launch month of December:
You can read the entire report here: Full report
Lagos clinic pre-opening treats 115 patients

Posted 11 Dec 2024
Our investment in building a free healthcare clinic in Lagos is already saving lives!
Before the clinic's official opening, a medical outreach event was held where patients could pre-register and receive treatment during registration.
At the pre-opening, the nurses treated 115 people, a higher number than expected ... there's obviously a deep need for free primary healthcare.
Here's the data that was collected on the day:
70% of patients reported a monthly income of N40,000 - N45,000 ($27 - $30 per month).
The youngest beneficiaries were two 2-year-old children who were treated for malaria and common cold, respectively, and the oldest was an 80-year-old woman who was treated for unmanaged hypertension.
Malaria is a disease that is especially deadly for children when treated late; catching and preventing it early with basic care is very important, and thankfully, we did for many, including 17 children under the age of 10.
Most patients (~39%) were diagnosed and treated for malaria. The second most common diagnosis after malaria was high blood pressure (hypertension) (~15%). This is expected as malaria, and hypertension is among the leading causes of death in the country.
Two patients were found to be at risk of fatal/near-death complications from unmanaged hypertension and were immediately treated and referred to the nearest tertiary institution. Of note, a mother from the community had extremely high blood pressure and was at significant risk of a stroke if her condition wasn't revealed during the outreach. Our practitioners gave her emergency treatment, and she will be following up with a specialist at a tertiary hospital.
The rest of the patients presented with varying illnesses, including unmanaged arthritis, diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infections, the common cold, ulcers, skin infections, and allergies. ā
Four patients had no symptoms of illness and came by for a regular medical checkup, an act they noted would have been a luxury if they hadn't had this opportunity.
69% of patients self-identified as female, and 31% as male.
Community outreach in Oworoshoki

Posted 29 Nov 2024
Today, we went out into the community alongside young volunteers from Oworoshoki. In true Nigerian style, we walked the streets with a music band, sharing fliers and announcing the arrival of a free health clinic. The young volunteers were thrilled to spread the news to their friends and families.
Clinic setup complete and ready for operations

Posted 28 Nov 2024
The clinic is fully set up and equipped to begin operations! Here are some updated pics and videos of the clinic.
Pharmacy stocked with essential medications

Posted 20 Nov 2024
We have stocked the Pharmacy/Dispensary with medications from a trusted local pharmaceutical supplier. The nurses will maintain strict inventory control to ensure proper management and free distribution to patients in need.
Clinic rooms completed and fully equipped

Posted 18 Nov 2024
The clinic's core facilities are now complete.
Here is the completed nursing station area where patients will have their vitals checked by the supporting nurse before their consultation.
Here is the fully equipped consulting room, complete with an examination/observation bench, drug shelf, refrigerator, and hand washing station, amongst other basic healthcare equipment
Facility upgrades and launch preparation

Posted 6 Nov 2024
Summary update on the latest progress of the micro-clinic in Lagos:
Facility upgrades:
Two air conditioning units are installed and functioning
Window blinds were installed throughout the clinic
A mini refrigerator was purchased for medication storage
The consulting room has been equipped with a desk, chair, laptop, and phone
The side alley/walkway was improved for better accessibility
Technology and record-keeping:
An Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system subscription secured through Ajirmed will help streamline patient records, enable impact measurement, and protect patient data.
Recycling Initiative:
Three recycling bins were purchased for the plastic collection, and a partnership with WeCyclers has been confirmed for free weekly collection. Collected plastic will be converted to cash for clinic services.
Key dates:
Attached photos:
Nurse Bosede Joins Oworoshoki Clinic Team

Posted 23 Oct 2024
We've hired our supervising nurse for the Oworo clinic - Nurse Bosede! She's a registered nurse from the local area with over 20 years of experience, including work with the Lagos state government, and brings a real passion for community healthcare.
She'll start on November 1st, beginning with training at our pilot clinic to learn "the AHA way" before taking charge at Oworo. Over the coming weeks, she'll help hire the supporting nurse and front desk admin while working with us to ensure the clinic meets all standards before launch.
Local Management Committee Established for Oworoshoki Clinic

Posted 22 Oct 2024
We've established a local clinic management committee for Oworoshoki! The committee consists of 4-5 diverse community residents and partners who will meet with our team monthly to review clinic reports. We're already connected with committee members via WhatsApp and planning both virtual and in-person introductions soon.
Vinyl ceiling repair update

Posted 19 Oct 2024
We have purchased vinyl ceilings to be fixed.
Medical equipment arrives for clinic setup

Posted 15 Oct 2024
Medical equipment has arrived! We've received all the essential supplies needed to run the clinic according to state regulationsāthis includes weighing scales, glucometers, stethoscopes, instrument trolleys, examination couches, and sterilising machines.