Medical professionals have issued warnings against self-medication and the unregulated use of herbal remedies during a free medical outreach organised for widows in Lagos.
The event, which took place in Ikate, was hosted by a non-governmental organisation, Total Life Concern (TLC), in collaboration with I SEE Eye Foundation, Opal Medical Centre, and All Smiles Dental Clinic.
The outreach brought together 150 widows from Ajah, Surulere, Ikorodu, and surrounding communities, held as part of TLC’s yearly initiative, focused not only on delivering free medical services to widows but also on educating them about healthy living, early detection of diseases, and the risks associated with unsupervised health practices.
The event highlighted the health challenges many widows face, especially those who often resort to self-medication or herbal treatments due to financial constraints or lack of access to proper medical facilities.
Convener of TLC and legal practitioner, Edirin Essiet, said the outreach was designed to cater to the needs of widows and vulnerable women who are frequently excluded from regular healthcare systems.
According to her, the organisation provides yearly support as a way of closing the gap in access to healthcare services for marginalised women. “We do this every year to ensure free medical services. Transportation stipends and food were also provided to eliminate potential barriers to participation,” she said.
During the outreach, participants received a range of health services including general consultations, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, malaria screening, eye examinations, and dental assessments.
Dr Eucharia Egbo, who led the medical team, stressed the dangers of taking medications without professional advice. She urged widows to stop self-prescribing drugs or relying on unverified treatments, noting that such practices could mask symptoms, worsen underlying conditions, and cause adverse reactions.
Egbo warned against the use of herbal concoctions, explaining that while traditional medicine plays a role in healthcare, it must be administered by trained professionals.
She referenced the ongoing efforts of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to integrate traditional and herbal medicine into formal healthcare systems, but warned that unregulated usage could be harmful.
According to her, only trained and accredited practitioners should be involved in administering herbal treatments, noting that misuse can result in serious health complications.
Also, a general practitioner, Dr Faleye Odundare-Stephen, echoed similar concerns. He emphasised the need for proper diagnosis before treatment and noted that many people risk damaging vital organs like the liver through unsupervised use of local herbs.
He explained that some widows, unaware of the risks, continue to self-medicate because of long-standing beliefs or due to lack of access to healthcare.
Odundare-Stephen praised the outreach for giving widows an opportunity to detect health issues early. “Many people discover health conditions like hypertension for the first time during such outreach, which allows them to begin necessary treatment,” he said.
Essiet revealed that during the outreach, a woman was rushed to the hospital after her test results showed severe health complications. This, according to her, underscored the importance of regular health check-ups and the urgent need for greater investment in widows’ healthcare.
“Many widows are suffering silently, unaware of their health conditions because they prioritise survival over their well-being,” she said.
Essiet called on the government to take concrete steps toward implementing free and comprehensive healthcare services for widows, especially those living in rural or hard-to-reach areas. She noted that medical care should go beyond diagnosis to include treatment and follow-up support, as many widows simply cannot afford the cost of care.
