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Residents of Oshodi, Lagos, have been urged to make their health a priority 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 marking its 2026 Annual Women’s Convention.
The outreach offered free medical consultations, health checks, health education and medicines to residents, particularly people who may struggle to afford healthcare.
Speaking at the programme, General Physician at Isolo General Hospital, Dr Roseline Nwanebu, urged residents, especially women, not to neglect their health 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 stressed the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring, warning residents against assuming they are healthy simply because they have never been diagnosed with hypertension.
She advised those who can afford it to keep a reliable blood pressure monitor at home, while others should visit health facilities periodically for checks.
“The way you have your phone, you should also consider having a blood pressure monitor at home,” she said.
The physician also urged residents to reduce excessive salt intake, eat balanced meals, include vegetables and fish in their diets, drink adequate water and pay attention to the oils and other ingredients used in cooking.
She cautioned against excessive consumption of carbohydrate-heavy and unhealthy foods and encouraged residents to monitor their blood sugar.
Nwanebu further warned against self-medication, particularly among children, urging parents to consult qualified health professionals rather than buying medicines without proper medical advice.
“Please, let us stop self-medication, especially when it concerns ourselves and our children,” she said.
On women’s health, she encouraged women to undergo appropriate screening for conditions such as breast and cervical cancer and to seek medical attention when they notice unusual symptoms.
She particularly warned women against ignoring abnormal bleeding after menopause, stressing that early medical attention could help detect serious conditions.
The Women Leader, Mrs Chinyere Nnajiofor, said the outreach was designed to bring healthcare closer to the grassroots and support people who could not easily afford hospital services.
“We were led by the Holy Spirit to carry out an outreach to mothers, fathers and members of the community,” she said.
Nnajiofor also called on government to subsidise healthcare and make medical services more affordable, noting that the cost of hospital cards, consultations and treatment could discourage people from seeking care.
The Pastor in Charge of the church’s Oshodi Branch, Pastor Daniel Nnajiofor, said the initiative reflected the church’s commitment to addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of members of the community.
He disclosed that some beneficiaries were found with dangerously high blood pressure readings, including readings around 160, 170, 190 and nearly 200, and were referred to doctors for further assessment and treatment.
According to him, the church provided medicines to beneficiaries within its capacity as part of its effort to give back to the community.
He urged other churches and religious organisations to support vulnerable people, including widows, the elderly and the poor, through practical interventions that improve their wellbeing.
He said religious organisations could complement government efforts by helping people who might otherwise struggle to access basic healthcare.
Some beneficiaries commended the church for providing free medical services and medicines, saying the intervention offered relief from the financial burden of seeking healthcare.
