By Tracy Ohovwore
In commemoration of the 2025 International Widows Day, observed annually on June 23, Family Empowerment for Change, Growth and Social Development (FECGSD), in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Health, organized a free medical screening for widows in Benin City.
The outreach, themed “Hope In Action,” aimed to reignite the hopes of vulnerable groups in society. The screening took place at Central Park, Benin City, on Monday, June 30, 2025, and attracted a diverse crowd beyond widows, including men, women, and youths.
Speaking at the event, the State Lead of FECGSD, Portia Osayande, commended the Edo State Ministry of Health for its support in making the outreach a success. She highlighted the unique challenges widows face, especially in accessing quality healthcare due to financial constraints.
“Widows are a vital part of our society; a vulnerable part of our population that is most times overlooked. One of the major challenges they face is accessing quality healthcare. So we brought free health screening to the widows of Benin and reached over 100 persons,” Osayande said.
She noted that although the initiative initially targeted widows, the outreach was extended to the wider community due to the high demand. She emphasized that while the government is doing its part, healthcare should be a shared responsibility among individuals, organizations, and stakeholders.
“This is a wake-up call to action. We need to start giving back to the community to ensure that everyone, especially the vulnerable, has access to healthcare and a good quality life,” she added.
Osayande also urged community members to embrace regular medical checkups and be open to similar initiatives that promote their health and well-being.
Catherine Osadolor, a registered nurse and midwife who led the blood pressure and blood sugar screening, stressed the importance of health education. She noted that many people they attended to had dangerously high blood pressure without being aware.
“We had to educate them on how to manage their health and the things to avoid that contribute to high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Everyone we attended to today was very happy, and we are glad to put smiles on their faces,” Osadolor said.
She thanked the Edo State Ministry of Health and FECGSD for their thoughtful efforts toward improving community health.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Grace Erhabor, expressed deep appreciation for the free health screening. She commended the initiative for prioritizing the well-being of the vulnerable in society.
