NIGERIA: Over 300 Journalists Benefit From NUJ Medical Outreach 

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

More than 300 journalists from the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, benefitted from a comprehensive free medical outreach organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The health program, held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako in collaboration with Nizamiye Hospital, provided a wide range of screenings, including cardiovascular assessments, eye examinations, kidney function tests, and general medical evaluations.

Medical personnel at the outreach, reported that high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels were among the most common conditions detected during the exercise.

The Doctors present also attributed these health challenges to the demanding and high-stress nature of the journalism profession.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, represented by Surgeon Commodore Momoh Jimoh Salihu, commended the initiative as a valuable intervention.

He stated: “It is actually a laudable event, and I want to say kudos to the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital. This effort will improve the well-being and productivity of journalists in Abuja.”

NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, expressed gratitude to Nizamiye Hospital for deploying a multidisciplinary team that included cardiologists, nephrologists, ophthalmologists, general surgeons, and other specialists.

Comrade Ike noted: ” 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.”

She further added: “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.

She affirmed that the Council is committed to organizing regular health programs to support journalists’ well-being.

Comrade Ike noted: “This will not be the last. We will continue to do this. Thank you to Nizamiye Hospital for taking up this challenge.”

Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Nizamiye Hospital, Mohammed Abubakar, also mentioned that the outreach aligns with the hospital’s commitment to preventive healthcare under its corporate social responsibility program.

Abubakar mentioned: “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 added.

Dr. Nurullo Sadokov, Deputy Medical Director of the hospital, also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis.

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.”

“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.