The Christian Mothers of Oshodi Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), recently organised a one-day medical outreach for the women, as part of activities to celebrate Mothering Sunday.

Hosted by the Advent Anglican Church, Ijaye, Mafoluku, Lagos, different foodstuff were also distribute to attendees at the event. The gesture was open to all,including men and the youths.

According to the President of Mothers’ Union Women Guild Oshodi Archdeaconry, Mrs. Oluwaremilekun Tapere, who represented Mama Lagos West, Dr. Lydia Odedeji, people came from different flanks of the state to attend the event. Medical personnel were equally on ground to attend to the medical needs of the people.

Speaking with The Guardian, Mrs. Tapere said that the event was in support of the Mothering Sunday celebration and spearheaded by Mama Lagos West, Dr. Lydia Odedeji.

She noted that some of the archdeaconries within the Diocese of Lagos West, which Oshodi is part of had their own before the Mothering Sunday, but because of activities beyond their control the parishes within Oshodi shifted theirs to March 16, 2024.

Tapere said: “We are celebrating our mothers, sisters, wives because in most cases mothers are the ones taking caring of our husbands, children, home and businesses and while they do this, they neglect themselves. So, this is one of the ways we can celebrate them. The medical personnel we have here came from Ifako General Hospital and Ifako Local Government and they will check attendees’ blood pressure, sugar level and conduct cervical cancer

“ We are celebrating motherhood and sisterhood. We are celebrating all females in this month of March, which we normally do in the first Sunday in Lent in the Anglican Communion. This is in support of Mothering Sunday. It is open to everybody including the youths and men.

“This morning we have had talks with the attendees. Wetold them to learn how to carry their problems to Jesus who will heal them. We have also told them to get closer to God and use the opportunity to pray for Nigeria,” she noted.

The host, Reverend Ogo-Oluwa Tayo Peter, thanked God for giving the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Reverend James Odedeji and Mama Lagos West, Dr. Odedeji the opportunity to organise the free medical and free foodstuff outreach in the community.

He said: “We do this once in a year and one of the aims is for people to experience Christ, know about the kingdom of God and their health status. It is only God that can attend to their physical and spiritual needs. The churches under this archdeaconry contributed different food items including indomie, spaghetti, maggi, soap and among others for the event.”

According to Dr. Fatuyi Elizabeth, Mama Odedeji actually started the programme for women to commemorate Mother’s Day. We are doing general medical care for anybody including children, men and women.

“We are doing cervical screening, and breast cancer for women and there are also welfare packages for everyone. If we discover sever cases we refer them depending on the case. Like for cervical cancer screening, if we discover that some body is reactive or somebody has an early stage or whatever stage of cervical cancer we will refer the person to the General Hospital. This is also applicable to other sicknesses. Apart from this, we are here to treat and give medications to the sick. We have drugs to take care of people.

Explaining the cause of cervical cancer and its prevention, Fatuyi said it is caused by a particular virus known as human papilloma virus and it could be contacted through sexual intercourse, adding that women with multiple sexual partners and those with multiple births are at higher risk of contacting it.

She called on women to be mindful of where or who take their delivery, as this could serve as a preventive measure.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Juliet Ikhuloa, was grateful to God and prayed for the church and the organisers.

She said: “My coming here is not vain and I am very happy. I explained my health conditions and they attended to me. They gave me the normal drugs and checked my BP and now I am better.”

Another beneficiary, Precious Nwachukwu disclosed that she was screened for cervical cancer and blood pressure and she was givensome drugs and foodstuff.”