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Olubukola Ayodele: Churches and other faith-based institutions are more than places of worship

Olubukola Ayodele/LinkedIn

Jan 30, 2025, 20:44

Olubukola Ayodele: Churches and other faith-based institutions are more than places of worship

Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“I recently organized a health screening and awareness talk at a local church in Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday, January 26th. I felt quite anxious when my flight was initially canceled due to Storm Eowyn. However, I was grateful to be rescheduled and arrived late Saturday night, just in time for the event.

On Sunday, we had the privilege of assessing over 250 individuals, checking their blood pressure, blood glucose levels, weight, height, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and hepatitis B status. It was heart warming to connect with so many people in the community.

During the event, I was also able to speak with the congregation about health awareness and offer answers to their questions. I could sense their concerns and eagerness to learn more, which was truly inspiring.

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), health outcomes are deeply influenced not only by medical advancements but also by the level of community engagement in discussions about health. Sadly, diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension pose significant challenges—not just due to limited access to healthcare, but also because of stigma, misinformation, and cultural taboos that often silence these vital conversations.

This is where community-driven approaches become so essential. Faith-based organizations, local leaders, and grassroots initiatives play a crucial role in breaking the silence around pressing health issues, encouraging early detection, treatment, and prevention.

Churches and other faith-based institutions are more than places of worship; they are trusted havens that can profoundly influence behaviours and beliefs. In many African communities, these churches have successfully:

Hosted breast and cervical cancer screening drives
Integrated health education into their sermons and community gatherings
Partnered with local and international organizations to provide free or low-cost healthcare services

By utilizing existing social structures, we can foster health conversations in places where people already gather, find trust, and listen. If we genuinely want to see progress in cancer care and tackle other health challenges in LMICs, it’s crucial that we invest in community engagement strategies that uplift local voices, break down taboos, and champion preventive care.

Together, we can create a healthier future for our communities.”