R-Jolad Hospital at the Health & Vitality Conference 2.0

Over the weekend, R-Jolad Hospital was honoured to participate as an exhibitor at the Health & Vitality Conference 2.0 hosted by Household of David Church.

 

R-Jolad Hospital continues to demonstrate its leadership in delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare in Lagos. Through a strong blend of clinical excellence and community-focused initiatives, we remain committed to advancing preventive healthcare and empowering individuals to live healthier lives. Last weekend, our team proudly participated in the Health & Vitality Conference 2.0, hosted by the Household of David Church. The event provided an important platform to highlight the role of food and health for sustainable living in shaping the future of preventive healthcare in Nigeria.

The theme for this second edition was “Food & Health: Making Safe and Sustainable Choices”, some of the finest minds in Nigeria’s healthcare system were present at this event, as well as policymakers, leaders of communities and also advocates of the community. This platform was able to allow the exchange of ideas between these minds as well as cultivate partnerships and the exploration of practical solutions to some of the pressing health challenges faced in Nigeria.

We have a distinct philosophy that we uphold at R-Jolad and that is healthcare goes beyond the treatment received with the four walls of the hospital. We believe that empowering communities with the proper education, resources and adequate preventative care required to live longer and healthier lives is the true impact. The Health & Vitality Conference 2.0 gave us an excellent chance to strengthen our set mission as well as showcase our presence as one of the top private hospitals in Lagos as we are devoted to providing affordable and accessible healthcare.

The conference also featured thought-provoking keynote presentations and panel sessions by some of the most respected voices in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape:

A Landmark Event for Preventive Healthcare

The Health & Vitality Conference has made a great mark as one of the most anticipated and valued events in the Nigerian health and wellness calendar. The first edition had such a massive success that allowed this second edition to stand on its foundation which drew the attention of hundreds of people who had the eagerness for learning, connecting and being proactive in taking steps towards having a healthier form of living.

There was a buzz of energy as community members arrived early for the registration, networking amongst healthcare workers happened, booths were set up by exhibitors and the anticipation buzzed through the atmosphere for the event to commence. There was both a welcoming and professional environment set by The Household of David Church which was able to close the gap between technical health and community that was relatable to everyone in attendance.

A proper balance between the expert-led sessions with the interactive activities was made as that ensured that the participants were not only informed but also inspired to make the decisions of taking immediate and adequate actions to improve their health.

R-Jolad Hospital’s Active Role

R-Jolad being one of the exhibitors, we were able to bring our decades worth of experience in the healthcare sector as a leading hospital in Lagos to the conference and its attendees. Our booth became the heart of the event as our team was able to provide our range of services to the attendees. Such services are as follows:

• Free Health Checks – Participants were given essential screenings which included blood pressure check up, BMI and blood sugar tests. As simple as these procedures were, they were able to allow us to have conversations with the attendees about the importance and benefits of regular checkup and monitoring, most especially for people who have conditions like hypertension and diabetes which are common in Lagos.
• Wellness Counseling – Counsels on nutrition, lifestyle choices and proper management of stress level were shared to the attendees. They were grateful for the practical tips provided which they said they would implement into their lifestyle.
• Educational Materials – Resource materials like brochures were shared as well which had information on preventive healthcare, signs to be aware of about cancer, proper management of maternal health as well as providing benefits of regular hospital visits.
• Community Engagement – A Q&A session was led by our staff which was open to everyone as we addressed all and any concerns cutting across from child nutrition to proper health management of the elderly.

We had a positively engaged response as this setting provided a lot of the attendees the chance to have their first interaction with medical practitioners outside of a treatment setting and it emphasized the importance of taking proactive actions in the health of the community.

Highlights from the Keynote Sessions

The selection of presenters at the conference was filled with speakers who had both informative and relatable perception of the realities Nigerians face each day. They include

Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi DHA, MSA/MSH – Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor

Dr. Ogunyemi’s presentation underscored the importance of policies that help shape the outcomes of healthcare. She gave a broad view of the involvement of the Lagos State Government’s investments in the infrastructure, programs and surveillance systems put in place for the healthcare system. She also stated that hospitals in Lagos like R-Jolad, have a critical part to play in the implementation of government policy to the practical impact.

Alero Roberts – Associate Professor of Public Health

Professor Roberts gave a reminder to the attendees that proper care of one’s health begins with awareness. She buttressed on the point that health conditions like hypertension, diabetes and even obesity can be avoided with proper and continuous education of the community. Her point adequately showcased R-Jolad’s consistent and constant commitment to the sensitization of community members through the creation of programs across Nigeria.

Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi MBBS MD FRCP FRCPath  – CEO, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre

Dr. Elebute-Odunsi spoke on the ways one can prevent cancer and the care involved for people who may have cancer also. She also iterated that normalizing routine health screening can be a life saving difference. She mentioned that systems should be built by hospitals in Lagos that would be encouraging to the community to go for screening for early detection, instead of waiting until the conditions are too advanced to manage. Prevention is better than Cure.

Orode Doherty – Founder, Ingress Health Partners

Dr. Doherty explained the link shared between Nutrition and prolonged health outcomes. She reminded the attendees that decisions made by people everyday is the link between preventing or accelerating a health condition. She stated that nutritionists should work hand in hand with the healthcare institutions to cultivate a healthy eating habit.

Bodunrin Osikomaiya – Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service

Ms. Osikomaiya explained the necessity for safe blood donation practices. She talked about the continuous work Lagos State has embarked on to maintain its services for safe blood transfusion and also motivating the involvement of the public. At R-Jolad, we have always and will continue to offer our assistance to encourage donation of blood within our community.

 

Preventive Healthcare: A Necessity in Lagos

The general theme that prevailed at the event was how the future of medicine in Lagos should be preventive healthcare. With a large population of more than 20 million citizens, diseases that are related to one’s lifestyle choice are becoming more common and there is an escalation of preventable conditions needed to be treated in hospitals.

R-Jolad believes in the popular saying ‘Prevention is better than Cure’ and we also believe that it is not only better but even cheaper as well. If the community takes practical actions to the suggestions of routine checkups, screenings and having a healthier lifestyle, severe medical conditions reported by patients will decrease drastically and there will be a decrease in the need of hospital resources for emergency cases.

Some of the preventive measures we continue to advocate include but not restricted to:

• Annual physical examinations.
• Blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring.
• Cancer screenings such as mammograms and Pap smears.
• Nutritional counseling to combat obesity and malnutrition.
• Mental health awareness to address urban stress and depression.

Challenges Facing Hospitals in Lagos

In as much as there has been progress made in the healthcare line, more actions still need to be taken to reduce the challenges hospital staff face in caring for patients which include but not limited to:

• High Patient Load – Lagos has a population that is continuously growing so this often means that hospital staff are usually stretched thin in their capacity to care for their patients. 
• Urban Stressors – The main contributing factors to health problems are pollution, traffic congestion, and sedentary lifestyles.
• Economic Barriers – Many Lagosians delay seeking care due to financial constraints as most families do not have enough financial resources to survive, talk less of going to the hospital to pay for health services..
• Cultural Beliefs – Some patients still rely heavily on self-medication or traditional remedies, delaying professional intervention.

At R-Jolad, we are tackling these issues through innovation, outreach, and affordable healthcare solutions.

 

The Future of Healthcare in Lagos

There is hope for the future of healthcare in Lagos as there is continued evolution in processes and practices. Healthcare institutions need to embrace innovation, collaboration, and patient-centered care to improve their services provided. At R-Jolad, we see several key trends shaping the future:

• Telemedicine – Expanding access through digital platforms that allow consultations without physical travel.
• Community Health Hubs – Bringing services closer to underserved populations.
• Technology Integration – Using electronic medical records and AI to improve diagnosis and patient outcomes.
• Holistic Wellness Programs – Combining physical, mental, and nutritional health under one umbrella.

R-Jolad Hospital is already investing in these areas, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery in Lagos.

The Health & Vitality Conference 2.0 was more than an event; it was a movement toward a healthier, more informed Nigeria. For R-Jolad Hospital, it provided a stage to reinforce our mission as a hospital in Lagos dedicated to preventive care, accessibility, and community impact.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to driving conversations, forming partnerships, and delivering healthcare solutions that truly make an impact—because at R-Jolad, we believe health is a shared responsibility that begins with sustainable choices.

We are deeply grateful to the Household of David Church for hosting such a transformative event and to every speaker, attendee, and partner who contributed to its success.

R-Jolad Hospital’s participation at the Health & Vitality Conference 2.0 highlights our unwavering commitment to advancing preventive healthcare and promoting food and health for sustainable living. By combining medical expertise with community-focused initiatives, we are helping individuals and families make informed choices that improve well-being today and secure healthier futures tomorrow.