Doctor Warns Against Neglecting Health As Oyo Correspondents’ Chapel, NIKZAR Hold Free Medical Outreach
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A senior medical officer at NIKZAR Medical Centre, Apata, Ibadan, Dr. Jefferson Jide Nwanoka, has urged Nigerians, particularly journalists, to prioritise regular medical check-ups, warning that neglecting one’s health could have serious consequences.
Dr. Nwanoka gave the advice 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.
The outreach, organised as part of the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, offered free medical screening, consultations and medications to about 50 journalists and residents of the host community.
Speaking after the exercise, Dr. Nwanoka disclosed that many beneficiaries were diagnosed with various health conditions and placed on medication, while others were referred to hospitals for further evaluation and follow-up treatment.
According to him, hypertension-related cases accounted for the majority of medical conditions detected during the outreach.
“The vast majority of the cases we attended to were hypertension-related. We prescribed medications for many of the participants, but we also counselled them that drugs alone are not enough. They still need to visit the hospital for further investigations and proper follow-up,” he said.
He emphasised that routine medical examinations are essential for the 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.
Dr. Nwanoka explained that the outreach fulfilled a commitment made by the management of NIKZAR Medical Centre during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Oyo Correspondents’ Chapel earlier this year to support journalists through periodic health interventions.
He commended the medical team comprising doctors, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory scientists for their professionalism, describing the outreach as a successful demonstration of teamwork.
He added that the initiative also benefited residents of the surrounding community and reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to extending quality healthcare services to more communities.
“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.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, was also present at the outreach.
Beneficiaries described the programme as timely and impactful.
One of them, Mrs. Bridget Ayodele, said the initiative enabled her to undergo a comprehensive medical examination without any financial burden.
“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, Mrs. Aina Abisoye, applauded the organisers for providing free medical screening and appropriate medications based on participants’ health conditions.
“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, Mrs. Bukola Ayida described the outreach as a worthwhile initiative, praising the professionalism and dedication of the medical personnel.
“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.
A former Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. 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.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yinka Adeniran, said the collaboration was designed to encourage journalists to pay greater attention to their health while also extending healthcare services to residents of the community hosting the chapel’s secretariat.
He expressed appreciation to the management and medical team of NIKZAR Medical Centre, the Oyo NUJ Chairman, members of the chapel’s executive council, and the Chairman of the Medical and Health Committee, Comrade Joseph Okwuofu, for their support and teamwork in ensuring the success of the programme.
Adeniran assured members that efforts were ongoing to establish partnerships with other healthcare providers to address various health challenges facing journalists. He also reaffirmed the chapel’s readiness to collaborate with individuals, corporate organisations and development partners on initiatives that would enhance the welfare of journalists and the wider community.
