Rose of Sharon Foundation offers free cancer and general health screening for beneficiaries in Lagos
In line with the commemoration of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Rose of Sharon Foundation, a non-profit, faith-based, and non-governmental organization focused on easing the burdens of existence for widows and orphans, has provided free breast, cervical cancer screening and treatment as well as general health screening services to its beneficiaries, in partnership with Optimum Cancer Care Foundation and CHECK Medical Mission.
Speaking at the screening exercise, the Medical Director, Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Femi Olaleye, advised women, particularly widows, to go for regular screening, as early detection can protect them and save their lives. While explaining that early detection remains the best approach to preventing cervical and breast cancer, he warned them to be wary of those unhealthy factors that could lead to these diseases. Olaleye stated it was gratifying to note that the Rose of Sharon Foundation drove awareness through the screening exercise. According to him, this would help improve knowledge among women and encourage them to imbibe healthy habits.
The list of beneficiaries of the cancer screening and treatment exercise includes Oluwatoyin Okubadejo, Fidelia Okoronkwo, and Ubah Roseline, among others. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ubah Roseline, expressed profound appreciation to the Foundation, saying that this intervention would help her remain in excellent health.
The breast and cervical screening exercise was followed by a general healthcare programme on February 3, 2022, which provided free medical care services to widows, their children and orphans. The programme began with a talk by Dr Ajani Raliat, a psychologist with Gracespring Foundation Lagos, who reiterated the importance of good mental health to the well being of mothers and women in general. She also had private consultations with women and encouraged them to develop the healthy habit of speaking up and not stifling their emotions.
The pep talk was followed by the general health screening from CHECK (Creating Healthy Communities and Kinship) Medical Mission Ibadan. The screening focused on eye care, dental care, physiotherapy services, screening for free surgeries, trauma management and dispensed medication as required.
At the second phase of the screening exercise, Dr Ndudi Bowei, Country Manager of the Rose of Sharon Foundation spoke on the role the foundation plays in empowering and helping vulnerable people like widows and orphans. “Health is wealth, when we have good health, there is hope for a better and brighter future. So we must take good care of our health and ensure that we take preventive measures to dissuade diseases and sickness. It is with the bid to improve the quality of life for widows and orphans and ensure their good health that The Rose of Sharon Foundation has organized this healthcare programme and we are glad that these women are keying into this initiative” she said.
The Rose of Sharon Foundation was founded by businesswoman and philanthropist Apostle Folorunso Alakija. The Rose of Sharon Foundation has directly impacted the lives of more than 4,000 widows in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
