Aug 2, 2021 | News
ROHSI MAKES CASE FOR WIDOWS, SINGLE MOTHERS IN NIGERIA
The Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI), a non-governmental organisaton has proffered solution to the plights of widows and single mothers in Nigeria, following the difficult challenges they face after the death of their spouses.
This was made known in a paper presented by Oyeronke Olorunfemi, director at ROHSI during a programme organised recently by Heart For Widows International, a charity organisaton, to commemorate the United Nations (UN) International Day 2021 held at Alagbaka in Akure, Ondo State with theme: “Invisible Woman, Invisible Problem”.
Olorunfemi said that in the course of her community work, she noticed that more of women especially, older women are having high blood pressure than their male counterparts as majority are widows, handed over the mantle of family leadership without much preparation after the death of their husbands.
She therefore, prays that, God should continue to protect the men as they go out daily, not to die young as not to relinquish the mantle of family leadership to the woman should such suddenly happens.
“We know the loss of a partner is devastating. For many of our women around the world especially in developing countries such as ours, the loss is magnified by a long-term struggle for their basic needs, their rights and dignity”, Olorunfemi said.
She stressed on what befalls the woman should she loose her husband to include evicted from their homes or physically abused, or where their social status is linked to that of their husband’s and such husband passed on suddenly without a solid plan, what would happen to the health of such a widow?
Olorunfemi lamented that such a widow among other things have to accept unwillingly what nature has brought to her because of the children, unwarranted conditions from their husband relatives, social norms, which results in many women dying prematurely.
“So we can all imagine how burning this issue is? I have this question, should our women identity be defined by their husband or should be viewed on their own merits?” she asked.
To this end, she suggested ways by which government and society must improve the lives of widows, single women and their families to include:
“We must come up with poverty-reduction strategies like access to credit or other economic resources and provide educational opportunities for our widows and their children to make life easier.
“Our widows should have unlimited rights to their husband inheritance or land ownership under the law of the land.
“Violence towards widows must be stopped and it has to be now.
“We must all advocate for equitable access to healthcare for our widows. They must not be denied such an opportunity.
“We must them secure against economic insecurity stemming from widowhood that has driven some of our widows and girls to sex work.
“We must keep talking to authorities to take action to uphold their commitment to ensuring the rights of the widows as enshrined in our laws and conventions.
“Let us keep advocating for programmes and policies for ending violence against widows and their children.
She concluded that the above would make life more meaningful to widows, as the health and the wellbeing of their children would not be an issue anymore, because these solutions if implemented would have taken care of those needs.
Eelier in their welcome addresses, Prince Adetayo Adesida and Mrs. Britt Schulze Adesida expressed the gratitude that God had used them to reach out to widows across Africa and the world at large by empowering them, so that they can fend for themselves on the event of the loose of their husbands.
“God has been able to help spread our tentacles to some countries in Africa as well where we have been able to reach out to the widows in Rwanda, Kenya, Lesotho, Seychelles, Uganda to mention but a few.
“We thank God that we did not only give widows fishes to survive on, but also teach them how to fish through various vocational developmental schemes, which empowers the widow to be self-reliant and self-sufficient to the point that their product which is been displayed at this event, is not only sold in the country, but also shipped out of other countries so that it becomes an economic empowerment for our widows.”
“God has been so faithful to the point that we are able to establish this foundation in the USA, The Netherlands, Germany, India, Nigeria, Tanzania and Bulgaria.
Dignitaries at the event include The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Adelusi represented by Chief Aro of Akure kingdom accompanied by some chiefs from the palace; delegation from the Ondo State government, which included Mrs. Olubunmi Ademosu, Special Adviser to the Ondo State government on Intergovernmental Relation and Oluwafemi Dennis Fadairo, Director of Administration to the Senate President of Nigeria, Ahmed Lawan.
First Published By Dispatch News Online http://dispatchnews.com.ng/2021/08/02/rohsi-makes-case-for-widows-single-mothers-in-nigeria/
Jun 7, 2021 | Events
ROHSI CALL TO ACTION
I am writing to say thank you and to show my appreciations for all that you have made us to achieved in terms of being able to provide access to healthcare treatment to our targeted community members. A huge thank you!
I am also using this as a call to action to my other friends to be part of what we are doing at Rays of Hope Support Initiative – #ROHSI3
Within my work as a social development worker, whenever I hear of people battling with health-related issues especially hypertension and diabetes that have led to strokes, heart attack, sudden death, or stories such as he/she wasn’t sick, we were still together yesterday give me and my team great pains because death such as this could be prevented with access to information, measures and monitoring of our health numbers, medication, and change in lifestyle.
I do wish we saved many of these lives by influencing their diets and lifestyles in a way that would keep them healthy and strong to be able to be alive for their loved ones! We know how unbearable it is; to lose a loving and dependable member of a household. I do not want this to happening again because many of these deaths could be prevented with our efforts at Rays of Hope Support Initiative.
I am asking you to join my team with your resources, time (as our ambassadors/Volunteers), network, collaborations, recommendation, money, donations. Let us save lives by inculcating healthy lifestyles through awareness and access to equity healthcare treatment among people when we were able to take the good news to their doorsteps.
You can start from here:
For the donations, use any of our secure links:
STANBICIBTC BANK PLC: Rays of Hope Support Initiative
Naira: 0022069426
Dollar: 0027047650
Or through
www.rohsi.org/donate
If you could support this by donating and then sharing it with your network. I would greatly appreciate it. I know that money can be tight, so please know that every donation makes us closer to our goal.
Kindly reach out to me in case you have any questions, and I will be happy to answer them. I thank all for rejoicing with me and joining me in this mission of impacting and saving the majority of our people from avoidable/sudden death.
Let’s do this together! Love, Health and Joy,
Benjamin Olorunfemi
Executive Director
May 30, 2021 | Healthy Tips
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA?
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living.
Yoga is an old discipline from India. It uses breathing techniques, exercise, and meditation. It helps to improve health and happiness. Yoga in a simple sentence means “the cessation of the modification of the mind” (stopping changing the mind).
Then, what are the benefits of yoga and how can yoga enrich your life? Looking to hear and read from yoga teachers as well as people who enjoy doing yoga. This piece is intended to be a definitive resource on the great benefits that yoga brings you, and why we should try yoga.
. There are loads of health reasons for why you and I should try yoga in the submissions below, and the main yoga benefits people talk about (summarized) are these:
- Stress relief, including lowering anxiety and depression
- Self-awareness (by slowing down, you become more aware of what’s happening around you)
- Better flexibility and posture
- Make new friends and build your community if you’re doing yoga in groups.
- Pain relief
- Can help against arthritis.
- Gives you time to look inward and think deeply.
- Helps to breathe.
So, who next is coming with us at the Rays of Hope Support Initiative for the next Yoga class/benefits.
Apr 20, 2021 | Healthy Tips
HOW TO MANAGE HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Rotimi Adesanya
Cholesterol is made by the liver. It is a waxy substance that the body uses to build cells, among other processes. It is a type of fat also called a lipid. It travels through the bloodstream in tiny molecules wrapped inside proteins. These packages are called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is one of the main types of lipoproteins in the blood. The other main type is high-density lipoproteins (HDL). A third type of lipid, called a triglyceride, also circulates in the blood. The body still needs a little cholesterol for healthy digestion and to make vitamin D and certain hormones.
Causes:
Eating too many foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may increase the risk of developing high cholesterol. Other lifestyle factors can also contribute to high cholesterol. These factors include inactivity and smoking. The genetics can also affect ones chances of developing high cholesterol. If the parents have high cholesterol, the offspring are at higher risk of having it too.
Symptoms:
In most cases, high cholesterol is a “silent” problem. It typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have high cholesterol until they develop serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Complications:
If left untreated, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in the arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can result in many life-threatening complications, such as: stroke, heart attack, angina (chest pain), high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease. High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones.
Laboratory Tests:
A cholesterol screening test is collectively reffered to as the Lipid Profile and is normally done in the morning before taking breakfast. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per decilitre (dL) of blood. Ideal results for most adults are:
Total Cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)
LDL: 70 to 130 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)
HDL: more than 40 to 60 mg/dL (the higher the number, the better)
triglycerides: 10 to 150 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)
Dietary Advice:
Following dietary guidelines, there are no specific recommended limits for the amount of cholesterol one consumes from food. But it’s still important to pay attention to the food that one eats in order to keep the body’s cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
Doctors now recommend that one limits the amount of harmful saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars in the diet. You should also keep an eye on your cholesterol intake since foods that are high in cholesterol also tend to be high in saturated fats.
Cholesterol itself is only found in animal-based foods, including meat, dairy products, seafood, egg yolks, butter. Shrimp is high in cholesterol but very low in saturated fat.
Cholesterol-free foods…. There’s no cholesterol in foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts. These are also all part of a healthy well-balanced diet.
Read Also:
Foods that are high in saturated fats and should be limited include: red meat and pork, baked goods, such as cakes and cookies, cheese, pizza, ice cream, processed meats, such as sausages, fried foods.
Foods containing unhealthy trans fats, which should be avoided, include fried foods, packaged foods with “hydrogenated oils” in the ingredients list baked goods, such as cakes, pies, and cookies, margarine, microwave popcorn, frosting.
Foods that contain healthy unsaturated fats, which you should eat, include olive, peanut, canola, safflower, and sunflower oils, avocados, most nuts, but especially walnuts, most seeds.
Treatment:
Cholesterol medications: In some cases, your doctor might prescribe medications to help lower your cholesterol levels. Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They block the liver from producing more cholesterol.
Prevention:
Genetic risk factors for high cholesterol can’t be controlled. However, lifestyle factors can be managed.
To lower your risk of developing high cholesterol:
Eat a nutritious diet that’s low in cholesterol and animal fats, and high in fibre like oat bran, found in oatmeal and whole oats.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.
Don’t smoke.
In conclusion, Pay attention to the saturated and trans fats on the food labels, as well as added sugars. The less of these one consumes, the better. No more than 10 per cent of one daily calorie should come from either saturated fats or added sugars. Don’t worry about eating enough cholesterol. The body makes enough whether or not one consumes it. Eat healthier, unsaturated fats. Try replacing butter with extra virgin olive oil in cooking, Eat lean cuts of meat, and snack nuts and seeds instead of French fries or processed snack foods.
Apr 20, 2021 | Healthy Tips
#Hypertension in pregnancy(HIP) is defined as systolic blood pressure of 140/90mmHg.It could be described as chronic, gestational, preeclampsia or eclampsia depending on the gestational period, the tendency for postpartum resolutions, presence of proteinuria or convulsion. Hypertension in pregnancy affects close to 22 percent of pregnancies in developing countries such as Nigeria.
High blood pressure during pregnancy can affect the development of the placenta, causing the nutrient and oxygen supply to the baby to be limited. This can lead to early delivery, low birth weight, placental separation (abruption) and other complications for the baby.
During pregnancy, high blood pressure (hypertension) can affect the body in different ways than it normally would. Both mother and baby may be at increased risk of complications
What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels) that carry blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means that the pressure in the arteries is above the normal range.
Hypertension during pregnancy can impact the body in different ways than it normally would. Mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy are at higher risk of complications before, during and after the birth. Not only is the mother’s health in danger, but the baby can be impacted by high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Hypertension complicates about 10 percent of all pregnancies. There are several different types of hypertension during pregnancy. These types vary in severity and impact on the body. The forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy include:
- Chronic hypertension- High blood pressure which is present prior to pregnancy
- Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: It develops in someone who has high blood pressure before pregnancy.
- #Gestational hypertension: This type of hypertension is noted in the latter part of pregnancy, but no other signs or symptoms of preeclampsia are present. Some women will later develop preeclampsia, while others probably have chronic hypertension before the pregnancy.
- #Preeclampsia- A condition only found in the latter half of pregnancy and results in hypertension, protein in the urine, and generalized swelling in the mother. It can impact organs in the body and also cause seizures (eclampsia).
Who is at higher risk of hypertension during pregnancy?
A woman is more likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy if she;
- Is under age 20 and over age 40.
- Has a history of high blood pressure before becoming #pregnancy.
- Has had gestational hypertension or #preeclampsia during past pregnancies.
- Has a family history of hypertension.
- Is overweight
The danger of hypertension during pregnancy
High blood pressure during pregnancy can prevent the food supply for the baby in the womb from receiving enough blood. The lowered amount of blood to the placenta can lead to low weight.
Other complications;
Steps to safe delivery with hypertension during pregnancy
- Taking any blood pressure medication as prescribed
- Going to all prenatal visit
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Follow all instructions from your healthcare regarding activity and exercise
- Having an early delivery if it is needed
Courtesy: Rays of Hope Support initiative #Rohsi3
www.rohsi.org;
www.facebook.com/rohsi3
; www.twitter.com/rohsi3; www.instagram.com/rohsinigeria/
