By Joy Odor
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has partnered with Nizamiye Hospital to provide free health check-ups for over 300 journalists in Abuja.
The event, which took place at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, aimed to promote health awareness and provide medical support to journalists.
The medical outreach revealed a high prevalence of high blood pressure and sugar level issues among the journalists.
The doctors from Nizamiye Hospital carried out several checks, including heart health, bones and joints, eyes, and dental care.
The Hospital’s Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Nurullo Sadokov, stated that the outreach was part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility and hoped it would help journalists identify and prevent diseases.
He said, “I hope this screening will help journalists to identify and prevent diseases and sicknesses.”
“From what we have seen so far, there are journalists with blood pressure and blood sugar problems. Our surgeon here has identified some journalists with hernia and haemorrhage.”
“We are making plans for those patients to come to our hospital for proper treatment and management. We came here for a general screening.”
“They may have a problem or not. After identifying the problems and diseases, we will then take another step, which is at the hospital level.”
The NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, thanked Nizamiye Hospital for their support and emphasized the importance of looking after journalists’ health.
She stressed that the Union would continue to prioritize its members’ health and well-being, using the results of the check-ups to guide their efforts to secure health insurance for members.
“The NUJ FCT Council decided to take it as a point of duty to make sure that we have our bodies checked.”
“It is our desire to make sure that we get health insurance for our members. The outcome of today’s outreach will better guide us.”
“I am happy that members turned en mass for this outreach. For me, I am happy that the team of medical doctors from Nizamiye hospital are here to check our members.”
“This will not be the last. We will continue to do this. Thank you to Nizamiye Hospital for taking up this challenge.”
The event was praised by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who commended the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital for their thoughtful move to care for journalists’ health.
Represented by the Director of Medical Services, Surgeon Commodore Momoh Jimoh Salihu, said, “It is actually a laudable event and I want to say kudos to the NUJ FCT and the Nizamiye Hospital for organising and conducting this medical outreach for journalists.
The partnership between NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital aimed to promote health awareness and provide medical support to journalists in Abuja.
