Medical outreach: Church urges Oshodi residents to be Intentional about their health

By Daniel Kudayah

Residents of Oshodi have been urged to be intentional about their health through regular medical checks, healthy lifestyle choices, early detection and prompt treatment.

The call was made during a free medical outreach organised by The Old Path Revival Commission, Oshodi, as part of activities for its 2026 Annual Women’s Convention.

The outreach provided free medical consultations, health checks, health education and medicines, particularly for people who may struggle to afford hospital services.

Speaking during the programme, General Physician, Isolo General Hospital, Dr. Roseline Nwanebu, urged residents, especially women, not to put their health last while caring for their families.

“We all love our children, but we must also develop the mentality of taking care of ourselves. You have to love yourself first. You have to be very intentional about your health,” she said.

Nwanebu focused on the importance of monitoring blood pressure, explaining that people should not assume they are healthy simply because they have never been diagnosed with hypertension.

She encouraged residents who can afford it to have a reliable blood pressure monitor at home and check their readings regularly, while those who cannot afford one can visit a health facility for periodic checks.
“The way you have your phone, you should also consider having a blood pressure monitor at home,” she said.
She advised residents to reduce excessive salt intake, eat balanced meals, include vegetables and fish in their diets, drink enough water and be conscious of the oils and other ingredients used in cooking.
She also urged people to pay attention to their blood sugar, warning against excessive consumption of carbohydrate-heavy meals and unhealthy foods.
Nwanebu stressed that stress, physical activity, noise and psychological factors can affect blood pressure, making it important for people to understand their bodies and seek medical advice when they notice changes.
She also warned against self-medication, particularly when treating children, urging parents to consult qualified health professionals instead of simply purchasing drugs from chemists.
“Please, let us stop self-medication, especially when it concerns ourselves and our children,” she said.
The physician also addressed women’s health issues, including menopause, breast cancer and cervical cancer. She encouraged women to undergo appropriate screening and seek medical attention when they notice unusual symptoms.
She particularly warned women not to ignore abnormal bleeding after menopause and encouraged them to seek medical attention promptly.
She insisted that people should make prevention and early detection part of their lifestyle rather than waiting until illness becomes severe.
“Be intentional about your health. Eat wisely, monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar, go for appropriate screening, and seek medical attention early when something changes,” she said.
Speaking, the Women Leader, Mrs. Chinyere Nnajiofor, said the medical outreach was organised as part of the church’s effort to take healthcare closer to the grassroots.
Nnajiofor explained that the church was particularly concerned about mothers, fathers and other members of the community who may not have the financial means to visit hospitals or pay for consultations and medicines.
“We were led by the Holy Spirit to carry out an outreach to mothers, fathers and members of the community,” she said.
According to Nnajiofor, the programme also provided an opportunity to educate residents about health conditions commonly affecting women, including high blood pressure and cervical cancer, as well as poor nutrition and stress.
She said good health was essential because people need to be healthy to fulfil their responsibilities, including their spiritual responsibilities.
“Because health is wealth. Without being healthy, you cannot intercede, you cannot pray,” she said.
Nnajiofor called on government to subsidize medical care and make healthcare more accessible and affordable to people at the grassroots.
She noted that the cost of hospital cards, consultations and treatment can discourage people from seeking care, particularly when hospitals are overcrowded and patients have to wait for long periods.
The Pastor in Charge of The Old Path Revival Commission, Mr. Daniel Nnajiofor. Oshodi Branch, said the medical outreach reflects the church’s commitment to caring for people both spiritually and physically.
He explained that the church believes its responsibility goes beyond preaching the Word of God to also meeting practical needs within the community.
“We believe that as Christians, we should not only give people the Word of God but also care for their physical needs,” he said.
According to him, many people are unable to access medical care because of financial difficulties, making initiatives that provide free consultations and medicines important to the community.
He disclosed that some people who participated in the outreach were found to have very high blood pressure readings, including readings around 160, 170, 190 and close to 200, and were referred to doctors for further assessment and treatment.
The pastor said the church was providing medicines to as many beneficiaries as possible within its capacity, describing the initiative as part of its effort to give back to the community.
“This is also our way of giving back to the community,” he said.
He encouraged other churches and religious organisations to reach out to vulnerable people, including the poor, widows and elderly people, through practical programmes that improve their wellbeing.
“Churches should not focus only on preaching and prophecy; we must also demonstrate the love of Christ through practical actions,” he said.
He added that religious organisations can complement government efforts because government cannot meet every need alone.
A cross beneficiaries said the outreach provided an opportunity to receive medical attention without the financial burden that often prevents people from visiting hospitals, described the free treatment as a relief and called for the programme to continue.
They also commended the church for combining its spiritual activities with practical support for the community.
The central message of the outreach remained clear: be intentional about your health, because prevention and early detection can save lives.