Prioritise regular medical check-ups, don’t wait until you become ill, medical doctor advises Nigerians

Prioritise regular medical check-ups, don’t wait until you become ill, medical doctor advises Nigerians

Nigerians, particularly journalists have been advised to prioritise regular medical check-ups, warning that neglecting one’s health could have serious consequences.

Jefferson Jide Nwanoka, medical doctor and senior medical officer at NIKZAR Medical Centre, Apata, Ibadan, who spoke during a free medical outreach organised by the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in partnership with NIKZAR Medical Centre, at the chapel’s secretariat in Mokola, Ibadan noted that routine medical examinations remained essential for early detection and effective management of health conditions.

“As medical practitioners, we always say health is wealth. There is no way anyone can be productive without good health. Just as machines require regular servicing, the human body also needs routine care. People should not wait until they become seriously ill before seeking medical attention,” he added.

The outreach, organised as part of the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, provided free medical screening, consultations and medications for about 50 journalists and residents of the host community.

Nwanoka disclosed that many beneficiaries were diagnosed and placed on medication, while others were advised to visit hospitals for further evaluation and follow-up treatment .

“Majority of the cases we attended to were hypertension-related. We prescribed medications for many of the participants, but we also counseled them that the drugs alone are not enough. They still need to visit the hospital for further investigations and proper follow-up,” he said.

The NIKZAR Medical Centre boss said the outreach fulfilled a pledge made during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Oyo Correspondents’ Chapel earlier in the year to support journalists through periodic health interventions.

Nwanoka lauded the medical team comprising doctors, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory scientists for their professionalism during the outreach, describing the programme as a successful demonstration of teamwork.

He said the initiative also benefited residents of the surrounding community, adding that NIKZAR Medical Centre remained committed to taking healthcare services closer to the people.

“This is the maiden edition of the programme, and we hope to sustain the partnership with the Correspondents’ Chapel. We are looking forward to taking similar outreach programmes to other communities so that more people can benefit,” he said.

Akeem Abas, the State Chairman of NUJ was also on the ground to participate in the programme.

Beneficiaries commended organisers, describing it as timely and beneficial.

One of them, Bridget Ayodele, said the outreach afforded her the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at no cost.

“The programme gave me the opportunity to have my medical check-up free of charge instead of paying for it myself as I normally would. I was also given free medication. I am sincerely grateful to the organisers and the management of NIKZAR Medical Centre for this thoughtful gesture,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Aina Abisoye, commended the organisers for providing both free medical screening and appropriate medications based on participants’ diagnoses.

“We appreciate the coordinators of the programme for organising this free medical check-up and for providing us with the right medications based on our health conditions, all at no cost,” she said.

Similarly, Bukola Ayida described the outreach as a worthwhile initiative, praising the professionalism and dedication of the medical team.

“The programme was excellent, and I truly appreciate the organisers for bringing it to us. The medical personnel from NIKZAR Medical Centre did a remarkable job attending to all the participants with professionalism and care,” she said.

Also speaking, a former Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, John Alabi, described the outreach as a welcome development, noting that journalists often neglect their health because of the demands of the profession.

“This is a commendable initiative. Journalists hardly find the time to go for routine medical check-ups because of the pressures and stress associated with our work. This programme serves as a reminder that we must pay greater attention to our health and know our medical status.

“I must also commend the medical team from NIKZAR Medical Centre for their professionalism. The screening process was seamless, efficient and well organised. On behalf of members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, I thank them for this invaluable service.

“It is our hope that this will not be a one-off exercise but one that will be sustained so that journalists can continue to benefit from regular health screenings,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of Oyo NUJ, Comrade Yinka Adeniran, said the collaborative initiative was to provide an avenue for journalists to give attention to the state of their health while also reaching out to the members of the immediate community housing the Chapel’s Secretariat at Mokola.

Adeniran thanked the medical team, the Oyo NUJ Chairman, members of his executive council and the Chairman of the Medical/Health Committee, Comrade Joseph Okwuofu for the teamwork.

He assured the members that efforts are still ongoing to partner with other healthcare providers in areas of health challenges while also declaring the readiness of the Chapel to work with willing individuals, partners and organisations in future endeavours.