In a bid to improve early disease detection and public awareness of preventive healthcare in Kwara State, a major free health screening targeting hundreds of Ilorin residents is set to be held later this month.

The event, organised by the Craft Innovation Hub (CIH), will take place on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at its facility on Agbo Oba Road, Adeta, Ilorin.

The initiative comes at a time when many Nigerians face rising healthcare costs and limited access to preventive medical services. Health experts have repeatedly warned that late diagnosis remains a leading cause of poor outcomes for common cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

The screening will offer a range of essential tests, including:

• Cancer Checks: Cervical Pap smears, breast and prostate ultrasounds, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
• Vital Checks: Basic blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI).

CIH officials said the screening aims to reach between 200 and 300 direct beneficiaries out of an expected 400 to 500 attendees, with a gender balance of at least 100 men and 100 women.

The screening will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CIH confirmed that security agencies have been briefed to help manage traffic and crowd control around the venue. Participants will have access to female clinicians and privacy screens, and any abnormal findings will be immediately referred to partner health facilities. Results will be sent to individuals digitally via SMS, email, or a secure online portal.

Eligibility criteria include Pap smears for women aged 21-65 and PSA tests for men aged 40 and above, subject to clinical evaluation. Attendees are encouraged to bring previous medical reports and provide valid contact details.

Public health advocates in Ilorin have welcomed the development, saying it could help change attitudes toward preventive health checks. "A lot of people only visit hospitals when they are already sick," said a local nurse. "Screenings like this can help save lives through early intervention."

Beyond its immediate health benefits, the CIH screening is also expected to generate anonymised data that could inform local health planning. Organisers have pledged that all personal medical results will remain strictly confidential.