BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
“Don’t wait until it’s too late. Make regular health checks top priority”.
That is the message of the Founder Jedidiah Divine Home of Love (JEDLOF) and retired General Manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. (Mrs.) Ebele Okoye, to Nigerians.
She emphasised the need to prioritise regular medical check-ups to prevent sudden deaths caused by undetected health conditions.
Dr. Okoye made the appeal over the weekend while conducting free medical tests for more than 100 widows at Ikeja High School, Oyetayo, Oshodi, during JEDLOF’s quarterly medical outreach themed “Reviving Hope and Empowering Widows.”
“High blood pressure remains a silent killer in this country. Many Nigerians simply cannot afford access to health facilities because of the current economic hardship,” Dr. Okoye said. “This free medical screening is our way of giving back to society and helping people stay alive.”
She encouraged Nigerians to monitor their blood pressure and sugar levels regularly, stressing that these checks can make the difference between life and death.
“Nigerians are hardworking people, but unlike in the western world where governments provide necessary welfare support, many here struggle to access the care they need. We must take our health seriously,” she advised.
Dr. Okoye also urged members of the public, especially widows under the NGO, to participate in JEDLOF’s monthly online prayers and called on government agencies, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals to support the NGO’s humanitarian efforts.
“We need more partners to continue meeting the needs of widows and the less privileged,” she added.
Mrs. Peace Okoye, who coordinated the medical screening, said the foundation chose to deviate from its usual empowerment initiatives of distributing food items and cash to offer life-saving health services.
“Many people don’t carry out basic medical tests, and this has led to untimely deaths. This screening is to help widows know their health status,” she explained.
Several widows who benefited from the exercise expressed gratitude to JEDLOF.
Mrs. Abiodun Funmilayo, a beneficiary, said: “This is not my first time benefiting from JEDLOF, and I am truly grateful.”
Another widow, Mrs. Yemisi Adenusi, praised Dr. Okoye for her consistent support. “Apart from the tests, she has given me food items and even paid my children’s school fees,” she said.
For Mrs. Amaele Ego, the outreach was a lifesaver: “Immediately I saw the doctor, I was happy because I realised today how important health is. If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t know my BP was high and I could have gone to the farm with it,” she remarked.
A team of medical doctors attended to the participants, treating cases of high blood pressure and high sugar levels and referring serious conditions to hospitals for further care. The event concluded with the distribution of gifts to the widows.
