NGO urges widows to pay attention to their health and wellbeing

Total Life Concern (TLC), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting widows, has urged them to pay close attention to their health.

At an event in Lagos, organised by the NGO in commemoration of the 2023 International Widows Day, Edirin Essiet, a lawyer and convener of the initiative, said: “Regardless of the situation, women who have lost their spouse need a healthy body to be there for their children and dependants”. 

“It is extremely important for widows to give quality attention to their health, even as they seek to fend for their wards and surmount several other societal challenges,” she added.

International Widows Day is set aside by the United Nations to create awareness for widows and the challenges they face so as to eradicate poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependants across the world. 

Also, a session of the event included a medical outreach for indigent widows in Lagos. 

While encouraging the widows on the importance of imbibing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Desmond Omorogbe, a medical doctor, said: “A healthy system starts from what goes into the mouth, hence the need for a healthy diet and wholesome oral cavity.”

According to Essiet, over the years, the NGO has empowered over two hundred widows through partnerships and support from organisations and well-meaning individuals. The support provided includes health tests such as blood pressure, eye test, and dental check-up.  

The convener urged the government and private sector to support widows so they can contribute their quota to national development and the raising of sound future leaders.