Yemisi Dada
Two hundred and fifty widows in Lagos have benefited free health insurance scheme under the Ilera Eko medical scheme for one year with food palliatives and other psychosocial supports.
This is courtesy of an NGO, Human Development Initiative Foundation, HDIF, under its annual Health Screening and Interventions for Widows in Lagos State.
At the screening exercise held at University of Lagos premises, Akoka, Yaba, the Executive Director HDIF, Mrs Olufunso Owasanoye, said the gesture was to alleviate the plights of the widows in the face of economic realities in the country, and called on all well meaning Nigerians to join hands with the foundation to support more vulnerable in the society.
Mrs Owasanoye advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to check their medical well being in the accredited hospitals closest to their homes, noting that HDIF will take full responsibility of their medical bills for the next one year.
“For about 28 years now, HDI has been working with women especially widows on several fronts including organizing women/widows groups, conducted health
screening/intervention, empowerment training for widows to boost their income,
knowledge on life-skills, provision of food and clothe palliatives.
Significantly too, based on previous successes, HDI continues to receive endless
invitations from other intending women/widow beneficiaries. There is therefore,
a growing need to expand services to accommodate more widows”
“Today marks not just another event, but a vital step toward supporting and empowering a group of women who have shown strength through loss and
resilience through life’s challenges. What we are to do here today provide more than just medical support, it is our show of solidarity, care, and respect for our
dear widows
To our widows present here, we see you, we value you, and we are here for you.
Your physical and emotional well-being matter to us, we aim to provide essential health screenings, consultations, food palliatives and support that will enhance
your quality of life. In addition to these all two hundred and fifty widows present” Owasanoye said
Educating the beneficiaries, a Medical Doctor, Dr Akpan Edikan, who urged them to ensure good environmental and personal hygiene, implored women to always do monthly breast examination for any sign of lumps, noting that early detection of cancer increases chances of survival.
In her goodwill message, Chairperson HDIF Board of Trustees, Professor Sarah Oloko, encouraged the widows to acquire vocational skills to empower them financially and be self reliant, noting that little support like that of HDIF should be additional to what they do themselves rather than being object of shame through begging.
The Beneficiaries which cut across all ethnic groups and religions in the country, appreciated the kind gesture of HDIF and called on the state government for more empowerment for Widows in Lagos.
The widows were screened for Blood and Sugar test, Urine analysis while drugs were given to them after free consultation from Medical Personnel on ground and food stuffs such as Rice, Garri, Beans and noodles were also given to each of the 250 beneficiaries.