The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in partnership with Nizamiye Hospital has provided a free health care to hundreds of journalists in Abuja as part of its pledge to reduce mortality rate among its members.
To this end, scores of pen pushers took part in the medical outreach at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako in the nation’s capital city.
The exercise, a strategic programme under the purposeful and vision driven leadership of Comrade, Grace Ike, to address health issues and sudden death as a result of nonchalant attitudes towards individual health recorded more of high blood pressure and sugar level issues among journalists.
The outreach is part of NUJ FCT’s wider plan to raise health awareness and give free medical support to journalists.
Speaking on the significance of the world class health outreach, the special guest of honour the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who also part-took in the exercise,
praised both the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital for the thoughtful move to care for journalists’ health.
Represented by the Director, Medical Services, Surgeon, Commodore, Momoh Jimoh Salihu, the defence chief 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.
“This effort will improve the well-being and productivity of journalists in Abuja and help them stay focused on their job.”
The Chairman, NUJ FCT, Comrade, Grace Ike, in an emotion ladden voice expressed appreciation to the healthcare giver Nizamiye Hospital for bringing their team of specialists, including a general surgeon, internals, cardiologist, nephrologist, ophthalmologist and general practitioners.
The first female Chairman of the council acknowledged how important it is to look after journalists’ health.
“We will always make sure our members are healthy. They go out to the field every time and most times they barely have time to check on themselves,” she said.
Comrade Ike added that the results from the medical check-up would help guide efforts to get health insurance for members.
“We will always make sure our members are healthy. They go out to the field every time and most times they barely have time to go for medical check ups.
“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,” she added.
She promised that the medical outreach will be a regular event as the union remains focused and committed to looking after its members’ well-being.
“This initiative demonstrates the union’s commitment to supporting journalists’ well-being,” she concluded.
Doctors from Nizamiye Hospital carried out several checks in areas such as heart health, bones and joints, eyes, and dental care.
Speaking during the exercise, the Deputy Medical Director, Nizamiye Hospital, Dr Nurullo Sadokov said the medical outreach was part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility.
“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.
“Some patients may end at the diagnostic level while others may need further attention. At the end of the day, we will make a list and make recommendations to the NUJ,” he said.
On his part, Nizamiye Hospital’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Abubakar, confirmed the hospital’s support for the event and other similar health programmes in the FCT.
“Our aim was to conduct medical screening for journalists in the FCT. The aim of the medical outreach is to prevent diseases. We are known to give humanitarian aids and this for us is a partnership with the NUJ FCT.
“The major disease that is prevalent so far is High Blood pressure and sugar level and for eye issues we will go back to the hospital and revert to members who have serious medical eye issues for surgery where necessary” he said.