NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital Partner on Free Medical Check Up for Journalists in Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has taken a significant step towards promoting the health and well-being of its members by partnering with Nizamiye Hospital for a free medical check-up.
The medical check-up, held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, included various tests like high blood pressure, sugar level prevalence, heart health, bones and joints, eyes, and dental care. Over 300 journalists benefited from the initiative.
At the event, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, commended the initiative, describing it as a bold step that will not only improve the health status of journalists in the FCT but their productivity as well
The CDS who was 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.
This effort will improve the well-being and productivity of journalists in Abuja and help them stay focused on their job.”
The NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, thanked Nizamiye Hospital for bringing its team of specialists, including a general surgeon, interns cardiologist, nephrologist, ophthalmologist and general practitioners.
She emphasized the importance of good health for enhanced productivity. “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.”
According to her, the outreach aims at raising health awareness, provide free medical support to journalists and also guide the Council’s efforts to get a workable health insurance scheme for members.
“I am happy that members turned en mass for this outreach. For me, I am glad that the team of medical doctors from Nizamiye hospital are here to check the health status of our members.”
While commending the Management of Nizamiye Hospital for the gesture, the Chairman assured of Council’s continuous effort towards promoting the health and well-being of members in order to enhance performance at their work places
“This initiative demonstrates the union’s commitment to supporting journalists’ well-being,” she added.
Responding, Mohammed Abubakar, the Hospital’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, affirmed the hospital’s support for the event and other similar health programmes in the FCT.
“The aim of the medical outreach is to conduct screening for journalists in the FCT so as to prevent diseases that might hinder excellent performance at their workplace.. 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 added
Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Medical Director of Nizamiye Hospital, Dr Nurullo Sadokov, stated that the medical outreach is part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility.
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 having 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 of recommendations to the NUJ,” he said.
The NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital are hopeful that this partnership will lead to better health and higher productivity among journalists in Abuja.
