The Chief Medical Director of Remed Healthcare, Dr Rehanet Egbochie, says the facility is expanding its walk-in clinics across Lagos State to improve access to affordable, timely, and quality primary healthcare services.
Egbochie said the walk-in clinics promote early disease detection, particularly of non-communicable diseases, while providing basic healthcare services in convenient locations for busy residents.
She added that the clinics would encourage regular health checks and help identify potential health conditions before they become severe.
Speaking at the unveiling of Remed Healthcare’s fourth walk-in clinic at Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, Egbochie said locating the facilities in shopping malls makes healthcare more accessible and convenient, allowing residents to undergo medical checks while shopping for groceries.
The family physician noted that people did not need to be sick before seeking medical examinations. She stressed that some non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers, could present with few or no symptoms in their early stages, making regular health screenings important for early detection and prevention of life-threatening complications.
“We are excited to launch this walk-in clinic at Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki. It is essentially a primary healthcare facility, or what I would describe as a polyclinic, with diagnostic facilities, a laboratory, and general healthcare services where we manage various medical conditions.
“We also offer specialist consultations. Remed Healthcare has other departments, including a dental unit and an eye clinic, with doctors available to attend to patients,” she said.
Egbochie described the facility as a family-oriented healthcare centre designed to cater to the medical needs of children, adults and older people.
Explaining the importance of walk-in clinics and why Nigerians should embrace regular health checks, the physician said, “A walk-in clinic is a facility where you do not have to spend the night or be admitted. It provides access to basic primary healthcare services.
“Primary healthcare is the first point of contact with the health system, where people can receive basic treatment for conditions such as malaria, typhoid, and other infections.
“You do not necessarily have to go to a hospital first. We are the first point of contact where patients are assessed, diagnosed, and treated. If a condition is serious and requires hospital care, we refer the patient to an appropriate facility.
“We also have a team of consultants, including paediatricians and specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology, who come in to attend to our patients,” she said.
She added that the facility also provided emergency response and patient observation services.
“We have an ambulance service. If a patient’s condition is serious, we refer them to an appropriate hospital. We are affiliated with different hospitals where we can refer patients.
“We also observe patients for up to 24 hours to monitor their condition and determine whether they are responding to treatment. If they are not improving, we transfer them to a hospital. However, we do not admit patients,” she said.
Egbochie disclosed that Remed Healthcare began its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially providing home-based medical services to people who could not readily access healthcare facilities.
She said the organisation had since grown into a major healthcare provider in Lagos, with four walk-in clinics located in shopping malls across the state to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable.
“Remed was established during the COVID-19 pandemic when people could not easily access healthcare. We started with home care, visiting people’s homes to provide treatment because they could not come out to seek medical attention.
“Many people became comfortable with the service because of the pandemic and the fear of infection. We treated patients in the comfort of their homes, and when we realised that it was a valuable service, we decided to establish other facilities.
“By the grace of God, this is now our fourth facility. We have four walk-in clinics where people can access optical, dental, primary and general healthcare services, as well as specialist consultations. We also offer diagnostic services, including X-rays and ultrasound scans,” the medical director explained.
Explaining why the walk-in clinics were located in shopping malls and other busy environments, Egbochie said the arrangement allowed people to undergo medical checks while shopping and reduced the stress associated with visiting often-crowded hospitals.
She noted that long waiting times and overcrowded hospitals could discourage people from seeking routine medical examinations.
“We want people to understand that healthcare is not all about going to the hospital. It is something they should be able to access conveniently, even when they visit a shopping mall.
“That is why most of our facilities are located in malls. We deliberately chose these locations to make healthcare more accessible and bring it closer to people.
“We want people to come in, shop, and also access quality healthcare. They do not have to go through the stress of visiting a hospital. They can buy their groceries, shop, and also receive general medical care, dental checks, and eye examinations, all in one place.
“The walk-in clinic is important because many Nigerians do not go for regular health screenings. As a result, some present late at hospitals with non-communicable diseases,” she said.
According to her, the facility provides an opportunity for people to undergo medical checks while shopping, noting that early disease detection could reduce mortality, lower healthcare costs and improve quality of life.
She urged Nigerians to embrace preventive healthcare and undergo regular medical examinations rather than wait until they become ill.
“People should understand that there are certain diseases they need to be screened for. They must realise that hospitals should not be visited only when they are sick; routine medical checks are equally important.
“You should have a general health check-up at least once a year, visit the dentist at least twice a year, and have your eyes examined regularly. You should also go for blood tests at least once a year.
“You do not have to wait until you fall ill before seeking medical attention. Regular visits to healthcare facilities can help identify potential health problems early and prevent complications. Our services are affordable, and we are committed to making healthcare accessible to everyone,” Egbochie said.
The Baale of Gedegede Tapa in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Chief Ayodeji Thomas, commended Remed Healthcare’s founder for bringing affordable healthcare services closer to residents of his community.
He urged residents to take advantage of the facility and embrace routine medical checks rather than wait until they fell ill before seeking medical attention.