Surulere clinic treats 315 patients in February, a 50% increase on January

In February, 315 community members received free healthcare at Care Circle in Surulere, Lagos, a 50% increase on January that brings the total since the clinic opened five months ago to 1,370 patients. Of those, 41% were visiting for the first time and 59% returned for ongoing care, which suggests families are building a regular relationship with the clinic.

The average monthly household income among patients was about 11,400 naira (roughly £6) for a family of four, working out to about £1.50 per person per month. This is lower than January, which suggests Care Circle is increasingly reaching families with the fewest financial resources. We spent about £310 (US$391) on medications and nurses' salaries.

Earlier months saw a slower ramp-up than expected, partly due to government home demolitions in the area causing displacement and instability. With conditions calming, patient numbers have now picked up, and the slower early months also meant we could stretch the clinic's operating funds and extend its runway through to the end of April.