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Women’s group in Nigeria offers free medical care

Key points:

  • More than 100 people received health care, medicine, food and other supplies during a day of outreach in the Northern Nigeria Conference.
  • Those diagnosed with ailments received medications and counseling on proper health management.
  • In addition to health care, the women preached the Gospel, sang and led prayer sessions.

In an effort to spread the gospel and tend to the need of its community, the Northern Nigeria Conference women’s division provided free medical services and other support to those in need in the Yapilo Village, Chonge District in Gombe State.

The March 29 outreach brought together hundreds of women from across the conference, as commanded in Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”  Moving from village to village within the district, the women preached the message of Jesus Christ, sang praises and engaged in prayer sessions.

The outreach included free medical check-ups and treatments for various health conditions, including hepatitis, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, vision problems, typhoid and malaria. Those diagnosed with ailments received medications and counseling on proper health management. During the event, 114 individuals received free medical services, while 78 people received food and other supplies.

Nurses Jemima Anthiah (left) and Maimuna Eliphaz (right) provide medications and counseling on proper health management to women at Yapilo Village in Gombe State on March 29. The free health services were organized by the Northern Nigeria Conference’s women’s organization. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.
Nurses Jemima Anthiah (left) and Maimuna Eliphaz (right) provide medications and counseling on proper health management to women at Yapilo Village in Gombe State on March 29. The free health services were organized by the Northern Nigeria Conference’s women’s organization. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.

Rose Adamu, the conference women’s president, expressed her gratitude to the conference leadership for their support in making the event a success. Addressing the beneficiaries, she reassured them that the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship stands with them during this difficult time.

“It is our sacred mission to serve our communities, offer prayers, and extend love and support to those in need,” she said.

The women’s group raised funds for the outreach through budget remittances at charges across the conference and personal donations from members. The money enabled the women to purchase food, clothes, detergent, medical equipment and medicine.

“This food and medicine came when we had nowhere to turn. May God bless everyone who made this possible,” said Rabi Jabbo, a beneficiary.

Dr. Naason Markus and other medical team members collect samples for diagnostic testing during a health expo sponsored by the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship at Yapilo Village in the Northern Nigeria Conference on March 29. The outreach included free medical check-ups and treatment for various health conditions, including hepatitis, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, vision problems, typhoid and malaria. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.
Dr. Naason Markus and other medical team members collect samples for diagnostic testing during a health expo sponsored by the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship at Yapilo Village in the Northern Nigeria Conference on March 29. The outreach included free medical check-ups and treatment for various health conditions, including hepatitis, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, vision problems, typhoid and malaria. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.

Another beneficiary, Amina Jauro, shared, “I am a Muslim, but the church provided us with medical support. We are happy and ask that the UMC Nigeria continue to remember us in future programs.”

The outreach was organized by Adamu, alongside key conference leaders, including the Rev. Daniel O. Mathew, evangelism director; Altine Kilyobas, women’s secretary; Innatu Eliphaz, treasurer; the Rev. Atiku Bappah, Chonge District superintendent; and Danjuma Audu, director of connectional ministries.

Babangida is a communicator for the Northern Conference in Nigeria.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digests.

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