Health
Church urges Oshodi residents to monitor blood pressure regularly
Janet Ogundepo
A physician at Isolo General Hospital, Dr Roseline Nwanebu, has urged residents of Oshodi, Lagos State, to regularly monitor their blood pressure, stating that people should not assume they are healthy simply because they have never been diagnosed with hypertension.
Nwanebu gave the advice 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 to residents, particularly people who may struggle to afford hospital services.
Nwanebu urged residents who can afford it to have reliable blood pressure monitors at home and check their readings regularly, while those who cannot afford one should visit health facilities 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.
The physician also urged residents to pay attention to their blood sugar and avoid excessive consumption of carbohydrate-heavy meals and unhealthy foods.
Nwanebu noted that stress, physical activity, noise and psychological factors could affect blood pressure, urging people to understand their bodies and seek medical attention when they noticed changes.
She also warned against self-medication, particularly in treating children, advising 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. 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.
The physician also addressed women’s health issues, including menopause, breast cancer and cervical cancer, encouraging women to undergo appropriate screening and seek medical attention when they noticed unusual symptoms.
She particularly warned women against ignoring abnormal bleeding after menopause, urging them to seek medical attention promptly.
Nwanebu said prevention and early detection should become part of people’s lifestyles rather than waiting until illnesses become severe.
“The message is simple: 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 on the outreach, the Women Leader of the church, Mrs Chinyere Nnajiofor, said it was organised to bring healthcare closer to residents at the grassroots.
Nnajiofor said the church was particularly concerned about mothers, fathers and other members of the community who might 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.
She said 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.
Nnajiofor called on the government to subsidise 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 could discourage people from seeking care, particularly when hospitals were overcrowded and patients had to wait for long periods.
The Pastor in Charge of The Old Path Revival Commission, Oshodi Branch, Pastor Daniel Nnajiofor, said the outreach reflected the church’s commitment to caring for people both spiritually and physically.
He said the church believed its responsibility went beyond preaching the Word of God to 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.
He said that many people were unable to access medical care because of financial difficulties, making initiatives that provided free consultations and medicines important to the community.
Nnajiofor disclosed that some participants 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.
He 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,” Nnajiofor 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 could complement government efforts because the government could not meet every need alone.
Some beneficiaries said the outreach provided an opportunity to receive medical attention without the financial burden that often prevented them from visiting hospitals.
They described the free treatment as a relief and called for the programme to continue, while commending the church for combining its spiritual activities with practical support for the community.
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