Midwife consulting a patient
Ikota Family Care pharmacy
Family Care Ikota Clinic Pharmacy
Antenatal class for expectant mothers
The Family Care Ikota Clinic and Pharmacy has been in operation for over five months now and is filling an important need for the community. Even though we are still in the initial stages, the clinic is expanding its services and is growing busier by the day.
Identifying the needs of the community:
As the goal of the clinic is self-sustainability, we have a three-category billing and payment system set up. Category one is for the very poor, who have been identified by community representatives as to their inability to pay for their treatment or medication. This category pays a token fee for consultation and medication. If unable to pay even this token amount they can appeal for free treatment and medicine sponsored by donors. Category two is for the majority of the community, those who earn a little, either by petty trading, dredging sand, or other means of support, but can’t afford the average prices of clinics in the Lekki area. These people pay a subsidized rate and are now able to obtain affordable treatment and medication. The third category is for those who have adequate income or are from outside of the community, and the charges for this category are average for a small clinic in the Lekki area. Through this method we are able to identify those who are in need of free or subsidized treatment and also create a way for the clinic to generate income to cover the running costs.
Clinic Staff:
At present we have one full-time doctor, who resides in the doctor’s residence built just behind the clinic, two full-time nurses/midwives, one full-time auxiliary nurse, one administration manager, and two additional cleaning/maintenance staff.
Clinic Hours:
The Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. The clinic also has a two-bed patient ward, which enables us to admit patients for 24-hour care when necessary.
Dental Services:
Every Thursday we provide dental treatment at the clinic and are able to perform services ranging from scaling and polishing to complex dental surgeries.
Ante-Natal Services:
We provide ante-natal services and now have 20 expectant mothers registered with us. The clinic will provide all ante-natal services and check-ups, as well as handle the delivery and post-delivery care. Our staff nurses/midwives also hold ante-natal classes and lectures for the mothers to help prepare them for their pregnancy, delivery, and infant care.
Milestone moments – our first delivery:
On March 9th, 2007 the first baby was delivered in the Family Care Ikota Clinic. The beautiful baby girl named Fatima, weighing a healthy 3.4 kg, is already a firm favourite with the clinic staff and we pray will be the first of many safe and problem-free deliveries.