RoSF supports widows in Lagos with medical outreach

Continuing its annual tradition of improving health and well-being of widows and orphans, the Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), held a one-day comprehensive medical outreach for the women.

The outreach had in attendance hundreds of women at the foundation’s headquarters in Surulere, Lagos to access different specialists and listen to experts on how to better maintain their health with limited resources.

National NGO Coordinator, RoSF, Oloruntosin Taiwo, noted that since the pilot edition in 2022 till date, they have provided free medical services to hundreds of widows and orphans. “As usual, we brought in a number of professionals, ranging from physiotherapists, dentists, eye doctors, lab technicians, general doctors for consulting and pharmacists to dispense free medication to the women.”

Adding that their health and well-being is important, she noted that a lot of the women are traumatised from the loss of their partners and are stressed from taking care of the children alone. “Any little money they have often goes to food and they suffer from a number of health challenges. Some women just discover they have issues when they come for this outreach and it is important to note that they not only get treated and given free drugs, they also get referred when needed. Everything here was provided to them free,” she said.

Orthopaedic consultant, Bewaji Omodesola said they combine orthodox and herbal medicine to treat the women as well as an infusion of diet and physical therapy. “We want to help them get rid of their health challenges without overly depending on drugs. We taught them how to eat better, engage in physical therapy with as simple as daily walks. We want them to go beyond just the use of drugs to embrace a holistic and healthy lifestyle.”

Eye doctor, Obadigie Josephine, noted that because of funds, many of the women tend to avoid the doctor. “However, we are conducting eye screening here and giving out free reading aids to those that need it. We were here last year and then, we met women with glaucoma that were referred to specialists. We know glaucoma leads to blindness and the earlier it is detected, the better.”

On hand to provide free drugs, public health nurse, Mosebolatan Lois Olajumoke, noted that the women, most middle-aged, need access to the right drugs taken at the right time. “We gave out drugs based on what was prescribed. A lot of these widows cannot afford to buy these drugs on their own and this goes a long way.”

A beneficiary, Funke Abalokwu, who saw the physiotherapists, praised the foundation for the initiative, the care and drugs provision, saying she benefitted greatly and was treated well with dignity and respect.