Journalists tasked on periodic medical checks
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Journalists have been urged to take their health seriously by undertaking periodic medical check ups in order to avert the risk of untimely death.
The advice was given by an Occupational Health Coordinator from the Kwara state Ministry of Health, Dr. Fatimah Lah, while carrying out medical screening on members to herald the maiden press week of Sobi FM chapel of the Kwara state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held at the station premises.
Dr. Lah, while talking about importance of periodic medical screening, especially at places of work, said regular medical check ups would aid early detections of ailments and prevention of complications that could be detrimental or cause death.
She said: “Journalists are always on the move searching for news while others at the office sit for a longer period of time, which makes them prone to muscular skeletal pains.
“Through regular medical check up, you can detect if you have high or low blood sugar, hepatitis B, high or low blood pressure and other terminal diseases that can be easily detected and controlled.”
Dr. Lah, who commended the Sobi FM Chapel for organising the medical screening for its members, however, advised the state Council of the NUJ and other organisations to encourage members to cultivate the habit of carrying out medical examinations on their body periodically.
In his opening remark, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr. Dare Akogun, had stated that having noticed that many journalists do not go for regular medical check up despite stress related to their work, the executives decided to make the process easier by bringing health care and check ups closer to the members free of charge.
“Journalists do not have time to go for medical check ups to ascertain their state of health, a situation that is very unfortunate.
“We promise that the welfare of members will be paramount in our administration, this medical screening is in fulfillment of our promises and we will ensure that we do this once in a month to ensure optimum productivity of members and also ensure that they are able to live long in good health,” he said.
Supervisory Director of Sobi FM Alhaji Kayode Mustapha commended Dare Akogun and his executive members for having the welfare of members at the top of their heart, saying such would continue to foster unity and encouraged a healthy work place.
“In complementing the efforts of the chapel we have concluded arrangements to enrol all members of staff on HMO and health insurance to take care of their health challenges when the need arises,” he said.