Hon. Daniel Osagie Egobi (left), councillor representing Ward K, Amuwo Odofin LCDA, receiving free screening from Dr. Ilerioluwa Lawal and Pharm. Olusola Onanusi, during the community heart health fair in Festac, Lagos.
Experts Urge Nigerians to Tackle Heart Disease as Victory Drugs Holds Free Health Outreach in Lagos
Health professionals, faith leaders, and community figures have called for stronger preventive action against heart disease, as Victory Drugs Pharmacy, Festac Town, Lagos, hosted a free community heart health fair on 1 October 2025.
The event, which coincided with World Heart Day (marked globally every 29 September) and the birthday of the pharmacy’s founder, Pharm. Folashade Lawal offered free screenings and medical consultations for residents.
Held at the Church of the Pentecost, Festac, the outreach provided cardiovascular checks, blood pressure and sugar tests, cholesterol assessments, dental examinations, and mental health counselling. Despite heavy rainfall, attendance remained impressive, with nearly 200 residents screened by midday.
Speaking during the programme, Dr Casmir Amadi, consultant cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), praised Pharm. Lawal for her long-term dedication to public health and preventive medicine. He described her as “a partner in the fight for wellness and disease prevention.”
Dr Amadi warned that heart-related diseases remain the world’s deadliest condition, causing about 19.4 million deaths in 2023. He blamed unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol, smoking, and stress as key triggers, adding that Nigerians must take exercise, nutrition, and regular health checks seriously.
“With the knowledge and medicines available today, no one should die of heart disease,” he said.
Dr. Ilerioluwa Lawal, who coordinated the programme, explained that the initiative aimed to promote integrated care by connecting hospitals, laboratories, pharmacists, and faith-based organisations.
“True health is total — it covers the body, mind, and spirit,” he noted.
A cross-section of participants at the free community heart health fair in Festac, Lagos.
The Vicar of the Church of the Pentecost, Venerable Oluwaseun Bolatito Dokunmu, commended the organisers, saying the initiative bridged critical gaps in access to healthcare. He cautioned against neglecting medical care in the name of spirituality.
“We must combine faith with responsibility — prayers and doctors go hand in hand,” he said.
Dr Victor Obasi, dental surgeon at Raboni Dental Clinic, highlighted that oral health plays a vital role in heart health. He warned that untreated gum disease can spread infections to the heart, urging regular dental visits, proper hygiene, and reduced smoking.
Community leader Hon. Daniel Osagie Egobi, councillor representing Ward K, Amuwo Odofin LCDA, also pledged support for future collaborations, describing Pharm. Lawal as “a mother figure committed to saving lives.”
“Health is wealth, and we must invest in our people’s wellbeing,” he said.
Speaking virtually from abroad, Pharm. Folashade Lawal said the outreach was inspired by the urgent need to improve awareness about cardiovascular health in Nigeria. She added that marking her birthday with a service-focused initiative was her way of “giving back to society.”
“Our hearts deserve attention. When people are empowered with knowledge and access, they become the heartbeat of a healthier nation,” she said.
She observed that heart disease claims more than 17 million lives every year, many of them preventable, and called on Nigerians to reduce oil, salt, and sugar consumption while staying active.
“God didn’t design us to be sedentary. We must eat right, move more, and take preventive care seriously,” she advised.
Pharm. Lawal added that the fair showcased the importance of collaboration in healthcare delivery — bringing together doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists, and counsellors to offer complete wellness support.
For her, it was both a birthday of purpose and a celebration of health, affirming that life’s best gift is service to humanity.
