The Custos Care Foundation (CCF) on Sunday provided free medical services to thousands of rural women in Enugu State to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
CCF is the pet project of the wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, and focuses on the welfare of women and girls.
Beneficiaries, drawn from all 17 Local Government Areas of the state, received a wide range of healthcare services, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar and diabetes screening, HIV/AIDS testing, malaria testing, and Hepatitis B screening.
Other services included eye screening and consultations, immediate medical treatment, free medications, and the provision of free eyeglasses for mothers.
Speaking during the event at Okpara Square, Enugu, the Managing Director of CCF, Mrs Egodi Igwe, said the programme was designed to support the health and wellbeing of women.
Igwe stated that the foundation remains committed to uplifting underserved communities through targeted humanitarian and social interventions, adding that the outreach was conducted under its flagship Expanded Mama Care Initiative (EMCI).
She noted that women often neglect their own health while caring for their families and emphasized that the outreach aimed to bridge this gap by providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services.
“As the backbone of society, women frequently prioritize the wellbeing of others above their own. This intervention ensures that they receive the care and medical attention they deserve,” she said.
According to her, beneficiaries were first attended to by nurses who checked their vital signs before proceeding to the laboratory for tests.
“They were then examined by doctors who prescribed medications, which were provided free of charge. Patients with eye-related conditions were attended to by optometrists and opticians, who conducted eye examinations and provided eyeglasses and medications where necessary,” she explained.
Igwe added that the outreach recorded a remarkable turnout, with thousands of patients receiving medical attention and 230 eyeglasses distributed to women who required vision support.
She highlighted several impactful moments that underscored the importance of routine health checks.
One case involved a woman whose blood pressure reading was 199/105—a dangerously high level—despite feeling physically well.
“The woman was immediately placed on medication and advised on continuous monitoring,” Igwe said.
Medical experts at the outreach noted that untreated high blood pressure is often responsible for sudden deaths sometimes wrongly attributed to spiritual attacks, further emphasizing the value of regular health screening.
Igwe explained that EMCI is a legacy programme of the Custos Care Foundation built on four key pillars, including healthcare access through free health insurance enrollment and essential healthcare services for mothers and families.
“This International Women’s Day 2026, we are not just celebrating women; we are investing in their health, strength, and future,” she said.
