RADFIRST — Radiography Awareness and Diagnosis FirstRADFIRST — Radiography Awareness and Diagnosis First
Get help
Youth-led health initiative · Lagos, Nigeria

Saving lives through early diagnosis.

Many people learn about a disease long before they get the scan that would find it. RADFIRST closes that gap. We explain diagnostic imaging in plain language, connect people to affordable scans, and stay with them after the result.

Support RADFIRST I need help getting a scan
1M+people reached online
10+confirmed follow-ups
2026Ashoka Young Changemaker
Radiography Awareness and Diagnosis FirstFig. 01
The gap we work in

Knowing you need a scan is only the first step.

Early diagnosis depends on more than hospitals and machines. People put off care for reasons that have little to do with medicine.

Fear of the procedure

Worry that a scan will hurt, or that all radiation is dangerous.

Misinformation

Myths shared online that delay care until symptoms get worse.

Cost

A mammogram costs about ₦30,000–₦40,000. For many families, that settles it.

Not understanding imaging

Not knowing what an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI is for, or what to expect.

Cultural beliefs and stigma

Beliefs that make people wait. Men in particular rarely screen early.

Not knowing where to go

No clear route to a trusted diagnostic centre or the right specialist.

How RADFIRST works

One pathway, from first question to follow-up.

See our programmes
  1. 01

    Education

    Videos, infographics, webinars and talks that make medical imaging easy to understand.

    Active
  2. 02

    Access

    Partnerships with diagnostic centres for discounted or free scans.

    Piloting
  3. 03

    Screening

    Community screening drives for breast, cervical and men’s health.

    In development
  4. 04

    Referral

    Connecting people with abnormal results to the right specialist or hospital.

    In development
  5. 05

    Follow-up

    Checking in after a scan so nobody is left alone with a result.

    Active
Programmes

What we’re doing right now.

All programmes and 2026 initiatives
RADFIRST founder Zainab Saba explaining radiography in a short video
Since 2025Online

Health Education & Digital Awareness

Short videos and infographics that explain scans, symptoms and health myths in plain language.

1M+ reached
Poster for RADFIRST Health Connect, a monthly webinar series
MonthlyVirtual

RADFIRST Health Connect

A monthly webinar where a health professional leads a conversation and answers your questions live.

150+ attendees
Announcement of a 30% diagnostic discount partnership for November 2025
Since Nov 2025Lagos

Diagnostic Access & Referral Support

Helping people reach discounted scans through partner diagnostic centres, then following up.

10–15 people supported
Impact so far

Year one, in numbers.

Full impact report
1M+people reached across social media
180K+views on our most-watched video
150+people reached through our webinars
10–15*people supported with discounted or free diagnostics
10+confirmed follow-ups after diagnostic support
20volunteers powering the work

* Through our diagnostic-centre partnership (30% discount, November 2025). All figures are from RADFIRST’s own records.

Zainab Olamide Saba, founder of RADFIRST
Zainab Olamide SabaFounder
Our story

As a radiography student, Zainab kept meeting patients whose conditions had already progressed by the time they came in for a scan.

RADFIRST started in October 2025 with one question: what would it take for people to come earlier? It began with explaining medical imaging online and has grown into a model that links education, access, referral and follow-up.

Read our story Meet the team
Recognition · May 2026Ashoka Young ChangemakerZainab Saba, elected by the Ashoka community
FellowshipMillennium Fellowship ProjectUnited Nations Academic Impact & Millennium Campus Network
Diagnostic access · Nov 2025First diagnostic-centre partnership30% off scans, lab tests and wellness screenings for World Radiography Day
Health Connect poster: I am too young for that — health myths young people need to stop believing
RADFIRST Health Connect

A health conversation, every month.

We pick a topic, invite a qualified speaker, and open the floor. You learn, ask your questions, and leave knowing what to do next.

Latest
“I am too young for that”: health myths young people need to stop believing
Speaker
Ummi Umar Musa, public health and cancer-control advocate
Next
Date to be announced
Get involved

Move from learning to doing.

RADFIRST grows when people who care about early diagnosis take part. Pick the way that suits you.

01

Donate

Fund a scan, support an urgent case, or give to the Emergency Diagnostic Support Fund.

Support diagnostic access 02

Partner

Diagnostic centres, hospitals, companies, schools and NGOs working with us on access and education.

Partner with us 03

Volunteer

Join 20+ young people creating content, running outreach and supporting patients.

Volunteer 04

Support a campaign

Take health conversations off social media and into communities, schools and workplaces.

Sponsor a campaign
Share your expertise Join a programme Share your health story

Need help getting a scan?

Tell us what you need. We’ll see whether we can support you, connect you to a service, or refer you to someone who can.

Get help from RADFIRST
Journal

Straight answers about scans.

All articles
Imaging explained5 min read

Why does the radiographer leave the room during your X-ray?

It isn’t because your scan is dangerous. Here’s what’s actually going on.

Read
Myths & facts3 min read

Does an ultrasound use radiation?

No. Ultrasound uses sound waves, which is why it’s used in pregnancy.

Coming soon
Breast health4 min read

What to expect at your first mammogram

How long it takes, whether it hurts, and how to prepare.

Coming soon