Inside the SAWI Medical Outreach: How We’re Bringing Healthcare to the Underserved
On a cloudy morning in Sagamu, the courtyard of a modest community center started filling up before sunrise. Mothers carrying toddlers, elderly men with walking sticks, pregnant women accompanied by teenage daughters, and young boys with wide, curious eyes—each one hopeful that the long-awaited SAWI Medical Outreach would offer more than just medicine. It would offer relief, attention, and the rare comfort of being seen.
What began in 2015 as an idea to “respond to the basic needs of our people” has grown into one of the most impactful grassroots medical interventions across Remo land. Today, the SAWI Medical Outreach has served thousands—quietly, intentionally, and with compassion that runs deeper than policy promises.
The Mission: Health Should Not Be a Privilege
At the core of Soyoye Akinyode Welfare Initiatives (SAWI) is a truth we hold dear: no man, woman, or child should suffer because they can’t afford to see a doctor. This isn’t theory. It’s the reality that families across Ikenne, Sagamu, and Remo-North face every day.
From the beginning, Hon. Soyoye Akinyode made it clear that this initiative was not going to be a one-time event for show. “We are not here to perform. We are here to serve,” he said during a planning meeting in Ilisan. That statement set the tone for what SAWI Medical Outreach would become—a community-rooted lifeline.
What Happens During a SAWI Medical Outreach?
The approach is simple but thorough.
Every outreach is designed around the real needs of the host community. SAWI field teams and local coordinators carry out pre-visits, engage with community leaders, and identify the most pressing health challenges.
When outreach day comes, the environment is intentionally warm and well-organized. Volunteers, nurses, doctors, and medical students—some of them past beneficiaries of SAWI education support—welcome patients with respect.
The medical services typically include:
- Free Consultations with qualified doctors
- Malaria and Typhoid Screening & Treatment
- Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Checks
- Eye Tests and Distribution of Reading Glasses
- Maternal Health Checkups
- Free Drug Dispensation
- Health Education & Preventive Talks
- Referrals for Serious Cases
Every patient is treated not as a number, but as a neighbor.
More Than Treatment—It’s Reassurance
During a recent outreach in Ode Remo, an elderly woman—Mama Bisi—walked up to a SAWI volunteer and held his hand for a few seconds. “Tell the people that we are grateful,” she said. “In my seventy-something years, nobody has done this for free.”
Stories like Mama Bisi’s are common. They remind us that healthcare is not just about curing. It’s about caring. It’s about meeting people where they are, with dignity.
Community Participation: The Heart of It All
SAWI Medical Outreach does not just drop into a community and leave. Each program is carried out in close partnership with:
- Local health centers
- Traditional rulers and chiefs
- Religious leaders
- Youth and women associations
- Community volunteers
These partnerships are critical because they ensure continuity. After the outreach leaves, we want the message of health and hygiene to continue ringing in the ears of the people.
No Cameras. Just Care.
One thing that sets the SAWI approach apart is our respect for people’s stories. We are not in these communities to gather content. We are there to serve. That’s why we don’t flood social media with photos of sick people. We tell stories, yes—but with care, consent, and focus on impact.
Building for Tomorrow
This is not about handouts. It is about building a health-aware Remo. A people who understand preventive care. A region where no child dies because paracetamol was out of reach. A constituency where being poor doesn’t mean being neglected.
Hon. Soyoye Akinyode has always believed that true leadership means being present when no one is watching. And through SAWI, that presence has been felt across wards, villages, and towns.
Looking Ahead
We are committed to expanding the SAWI Medical Outreach. With support from partners, well-meaning individuals, and volunteers, we plan to:
- Increase the number of locations served yearly
- Provide follow-up care for recurring patients
- Train more community health volunteers
- Equip select centers with basic health kits and education materials
How You Can Be Part of It
You don’t have to be a doctor to be part of this. You can:
- Volunteer your time at an outreach
- Donate to support medication and logistics
- Spread the word about our work
- Partner with SAWI for longer-term health programs
Because healthcare is not a favor. It is a necessity. And together, we are showing that Remo can take care of its own.