In a country where most people only seek medical help when symptoms become unbearable, Operation Check Yourself is flipping the script. Led by Olusegun Jimoh, a pharmacist, public health advocate, and neuroscience researcher, the initiative is taking free health screenings directly to underserved communities across Nigeria.
In this interview, Jimoh speaks on the motivation behind the project, the role of pharmacists in preventive health, and how early detection can save lives. Excerpts:
What inspired you to launch Operation Check Yourself?
During my time in both hospital and community pharmacy practice, I saw a pattern—people were arriving with advanced complications of hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease. These were conditions that could have been prevented or managed if detected early. I felt a strong responsibility as a pharmacist to act. That’s how Operation Check Yourself was born: a grassroots effort to bring screening and health education directly to the people, especially those who may never afford or access routine check-ups.
How does the program work in practice?
We set up mobile screening stations in public places like markets, churches, mosques, and transport hubs. We offer free checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, hepatitis B, and HIV. But beyond screening, we provide on-the-spot education—explaining results, counselling patients, and linking them with nearby clinics or hospitals for follow-up. It’s about turning awareness into action.
What has the response been like so far?
Overwhelming—in a good way. People are eager to learn about their health. In some of our early campaigns in Oyo State, we screened over 5,000 people in just a few months. Many had never checked their blood pressure or glucose level before. In several cases, we identified hypertensive crises or dangerously high sugar levels and referred them immediately for care. These are lives that might have been lost to stroke, kidney failure, or diabetic coma.
How does your background as a pharmacist influence this work?
Pharmacy is not just about dispensing drugs—it’s about improving health outcomes. As pharmacists, we are trained to identify risk factors, manage chronic diseases, and counsel patients. Operation Check Yourself is an extension of that role—just outside the walls of the clinic. My training allows me to interpret results, educate people, and advocate for smarter healthcare policies based on community data.
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You’ve also worked at the national level. How does this initiative fit into broader health policy?
I served as a consultant pharmacist for the National Primary Health Care Development Agency during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, so I understand the challenges of public health implementation. Operation Check Yourself aligns with Nigeria’s goal to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases through early detection and community engagement. In fact, several health authorities have shown interest in adapting the model into mobile outreach programs.
What is your long-term vision for this initiative?
I want Operation Check Yourself to become a nationwide campaign—integrated into the primary healthcare system. We are seeking partnerships with NGOs, corporate sponsors, and government agencies to expand to rural areas across all geopolitical zones. Ultimately, I believe every Nigerian deserves to know their health status, regardless of income or location.
What message do you have for policymakers and the public?
To policymakers: Invest in preventive health—it saves lives and costs less in the long run. To the public: Don’t wait for symptoms. Check yourself before it checks you.