By Sunday Apah
The Josephine and Matthew Kwode Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting health in Africa, recently provided free medical care to hundreds of residents at Ekete Market in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State.
This initiative is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving community health and well-being.
The event drew notable figures, including Olorogun Henry Sakpra, Chairman of the Board of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency; Rt. Hon. Karo Goru, Commissioner Representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie, and Urhobos in Warri in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC); Olorogun Charles Kwode, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Pastor Samuel Onakpa and Pastor Daniel Onosanimoni, among others.
During the program, Deacon Matthew Kwode, Director of the foundation, emphasized the organization’s divine mandate to promote good health as instructed by God.
He quoted Jeremiah 33:6-9, stating, “Behold, I bring health and cure, and I will cure them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” This scripture reinforces the foundation’s belief that everyone is intended to live a sickness-free life and underscores their mission of combining spiritual healing with medical care.
Kwode explained that the foundation’s medical outreach initiative aims to enhance community wellness through a holistic approach.
This involves improving the physical environment, promoting general hygiene, providing high-quality healthcare services, and delivering educational support. “By prioritizing hospitality, we aim to create a welcoming atmosphere that fosters trust between health providers and residents,” he said.
He stated further that the foundation focuses on health literacy by implementing preventive programs that discourage unhealthy habits, thereby raising awareness about health risks.
“Our goal is to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” Kwode added.
The mission of the Josephine and Matthew Kwode Foundation extends beyond just immediate medical care. Its objectives include raising awareness of God’s health agenda, increasing life expectancy in Africa, supporting families with out-of-school children, and facilitating access to healthcare institutions worldwide.
In line with their strategy, the foundation aims to strengthen health promotion through coordinated community actions. They plan to engage in workplace wellness programs that integrate exercise, nutrition, and stress management, recognizing that a healthy workforce is essential for broader societal health improvements.
He reiterated, “the Josephine and Matthew Kwode Foundation remains committed to building healthier communities across Africa by combining faith and medical practice to foster well-being and longevity.
“The recent medical outreach serves as a testament to their vision of achieving health for all and supporting resilient communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive”.
Pastor Kolawole Oniwinde, Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Udu, in his brief sermon, thanked God for the lives of Matthew and Josephine Kwode, describing the program as worthwhile and praying for God’s rewards for them.
He noted that while man gives care, God cures. “You don’t need to be a millionaire before you can care—it’s only a person with a good heart that cares.
“The foundation of care is compassion, so what Josephine and Matthew Kwode are doing is akin to that of the Good Samaritan in the Bible.”
One of the medical experts from the Josephine and Matthew Kwode Foundation, Mr. Peter Agbaragu, delivered a health talk on malaria and outlined the importance of avoiding mosquito bites.
He noted that the female mosquito known as *Anopheles gambiae* is the main carrier of the malaria disease.
He advised the beneficiaries of the program and invited guests to take preventive measures against malaria, such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets while sleeping, wearing long sleeves and pants during the evening, and ensuring their surroundings are clean and free of stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
