By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Life Support Foundation in Collaboration with Firebrand Assemblies of God (USA), held a one-day comprehensive medical outreach and Christmas celebration for the widows in Lagos who could not afford health care services.
The medical outreach, which saw over 1500 widows gathered at the Assemblies of God Church Shonibare Street, Ojodu, 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.
Founder of the Foundation, Rev. Edith Mpamaugo said: “Due to the hardship in the country, indigent widows in our community can no longer afford treatment or have access to medical facilities. This prompted the organization to launch a free medical outreach, targeting the poorest of the poor. We currently took care of 1500 widows with different sicknesses.
“This underscored the reason for engaging medical personnel. We had pharmacists and qualified nurses to diagnose and dispense medication to the less privileged and equally aged widows in the community.
“Although, we are attending to everyone present, we are targeting widows. We are offering them a general body check, which includes: blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria test, and other check-up. You can see that we have a team of experts available to attend to as many patients as possible. We also have sufficient drugs to give to those who will need it.
“The event was organised to give a holistic package to widows. They were sensitised to their rights, taking into cognizance challenges they face, letting them know things that contribute harmful practice to widows and which they should not be part of.
“We listened to their challenges, and provided about N10 million cash for them to add to their business and equally relieve their financial burden.”
Rev. Nkechi Ukomadu from Firebrand Assemblies of God Church, USA, said: “While we give material things which free medical care we believe in God to take care of the other things that concern their life.”
She called on government and Nigerians in the Diaspora to ensure they support the less privileged.
She urged government to provide basic needs of widows including access to healthcare services, regular check-ups, mental health support, and treatment for any chronic illnesses. The aim would be to ensure that widows receive the necessary medical attention and support to maintain their health.
District Secretary, Assemblies of God Church, Lekki, Lagos, Rev Chris Okhamera, urged the widows to have faith in God: “He is Father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, God in His holy habitation. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”
