…  CDS Lauds  Medical Outreach 


The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, on Saturday in partnership with Nizamiye Hospital provided free health check-ups to  journalists in the FCT.


More than 300 journalists took part in the medical outreach which took place at the NUJ FCT Press Centre,  Utako, Abuja. The Outreach comes as a timely intervention even as experts maintain that journalists who operate in a tense work environment are prone to  high blood pressure and sugar level prevalence 


In a related development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has applauded the the NUJ FCT Council leaderdhip and Nizamiye Hospital for the proactive initiative to consider journalists' health high on their priorities 


Representing the CDS at the event, 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 appreciated Nizamiye Hospital for mobilising their team of specialists, including a Surgeon-General, Internals, Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Ophthalmologist and General Practitioners to attend to the health needs of FCT journalists


She stressed the significance of journalists prioritising their healthcare needs, saying, “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.”


This outreach is part of NUJ FCT’s wider plan to raise health awareness and give free medical support to journalists. Comrade Ike also said the results of the check-ups would help guide their efforts to get health insurance for members.


“We will always make sure our members are healthy. They work virtually round the clock and rarely appreciate the significance of regular  medical check ups.


“It is on that basis that the NUJ FCT Council resolved to make it  a point of duty that our members going forward must undergo regular medical check-up.


"In furtherance of our vision of ensuring excellent health condition for our members, the FCT Council is working towards enrolling our members for Health Insurance coverage. The outcome of today's outreach will guide us towards actualisation of this vision.


“I am happy that members turned out en mass for this medical check-up and that the team of medical specialists from Nizamiye Hospital are here to do the needful.Today's outreach is just the beginning of 'Better Health for All Journalists',  We will continue to ensure the programme holds regularly. Our commitment is to journalists who are healthy and motivated to live up to the challenges of the profession. Thank you Nizamiye Hospital for taking up this challenge


“This initiative demonstrates the Union's commitment to supporting journalists' well-being,” she added.


The medical specialists from Nizamiye Hospital executed medical screening in areas such as heart health, bones and joints, eyes, and dental care for the NUJ members 


Mohammed Abubakar, the hospital’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, earlier 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 added 


Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Medical Director of Nizamiye Hospital, Dr Nurullo Sadokov stated that the medical outreach was 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 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.


The NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital hope this partnership will lead to better health and higher productivity among journalists in Abuja.