As part of efforts towards improving the health and well-being of widows and their offspring in extension, Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF) in partnership with CHECK Medicals, held a one-day comprehensive medical outreach for the women in Lagos.
The medical outreach, which saw hundreds of women from Lagos and Ibadan gather at the foundations’ office in Surulere, Lagos, had different doctors and specialists present, to attend to the medical needs of the women including dentists, optometrists, physiotherapists, general practitioners, lab scientists and so on.
Country Manager, RoSF, Dr Ndudi Bowei, said it was necessary to reach out to widows and their families at this time, as due to the worsening economic situation in the country, there is a tendency for health to take a back seat. “We deal with vulnerable people, widows and their children, orphans and people living below the poverty line. Because of the situation in the country, many are depressed and have developed different health problems they don’t even know. We thought it was important to start the year getting their health in check so they can face the rest of the year with hope.”
Dr Bowei said they also provide other health-tailored services to the women and their children such as providing interest free loans to start small businesses, teaching them to check for breast cancer and checking them for cervical and ovarian cancer. She added that the women are the outreach are not abandoned when serious illnesses are discovered. “We go a step further and enroll them in specialist hospitals. If cancer is discovered, we link them up with cancer hospitals. If it is bone issues, we link them up with specialists. It really is all encompassing and we do the best we can within our financial capabilities.”
A beneficiary at the outreach, Nkechi Comfort Nwabani, thanked the foundation for always standing by them. “I am glad I came here today because after seeing the doctor, my blood pressure was said to be high. I am hypertensive and I discovered recently that I have problems with my leg. Today, I was able to see the physiotherapist and I am grateful for this opportunity provided to us.”
Speaking with the Lagos Coordinator for Creating Healthy Community and Kinship (CHECK Medical), a non-governmental Christian medical mission, Esther Soladoye, she said health outreaches are at the core of their work. “We have different chapters and the Lagos and Ibadan chapter are here to provide support. We brought a nursing unit, pharmacy unit, laboratory, doctors, physiotherapists and dentists to cater to these women alongside the RoSF. We understand that health is wealth and these women need it more than most. Food and drugs are very expensive now and many widows will prioritise feeding over their health if they have to choose one. This free medical outreach would help them realise if anything is wrong with their health and seek solutions before it is too late.”
Soladoye said they referred more critical cases that cannot wait to specialist hospitals but was happy they were able to reach hundreds of women at the primary level. “We were not expecting this huge number but I am glad that these women are realising that they need to take care of their health,” she said.
Administrative officer, RoSF, Ayomide Fatoki, said it was significant that the huge number turned out for the outreach as it meant they were serious about their wellbeing. “Health is important and many people are walking about with undiagnosed health problems. Widows are often overlooked and having them healthy keeps them alive for longer. We fixed it at the start of the year so that if there are any other underlying health issues discovered, we can address them quickly,” she said.
