A free medical outreach organised for journalists in Oyo State has uncovered a high number of previously undiagnosed cases of hypertension, prompting health experts to renew calls for regular medical check-ups.
The exercise, organised by the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with NIKZAR Medical Centre, provided free medical screening, consultations and medications to about 50 journalists and residents at the chapel’s secretariat in Ibadan.
Speaking after the outreach, the Senior Medical Officer at NIKZAR Medical Centre, Dr Jefferson Jide Nwanoka, said hypertension accounted for the majority of health conditions diagnosed during the exercise.
“The vast majority of the cases we attended to were hypertension-related
“We prescribed medications for many of the participants, but drugs alone are not enough. They still need to visit the hospital for further investigations and proper follow-up,” he said.
Dr Nwanoka warned that many people seek medical attention only after their health has significantly deteriorated, stressing that routine medical examinations are essential for the early detection and effective treatment of illnesses.
“As medical practitioners, we always say health is wealth. There is no way anyone can be productive without good health. Just as machines require regular servicing, the human body also requires routine care,” he said.
He explained that the outreach formed part of NIKZAR Medical Centre’s corporate social responsibility programme and fulfilled a commitment made earlier this year to support members of the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel through regular healthcare interventions.
According to him, participants diagnosed with medical conditions received appropriate medications, while those requiring further assessment were referred to hospitals for additional investigations and follow-up care.
Dr Nwanoka also commended the team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory scientists who participated in the outreach, describing the exercise as a successful example of collaborative healthcare delivery.
“This is the maiden edition of the programme, and we hope to sustain the partnership with the Correspondents’ Chapel. We also plan to extend similar outreach programmes to other communities so that more people can benefit,” he added.
Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Mrs Bridget Ayodele said the programme enabled her to undergo a comprehensive medical examination without the financial burden she would ordinarily have faced.
“I had my medical check-up free of charge and was also given medication at no cost. I am sincerely grateful to the organisers and the management of NIKZAR Medical Centre for this thoughtful gesture,” she said.
Another participant, Mrs Aina Abisoye, said the outreach provided free screening and appropriate medications tailored to participants’ individual health conditions.
Mrs Bukola Ayida praised the professionalism of the medical personnel, describing the programme as an important intervention that should be sustained.
Journalists who attended the event also highlighted the challenges of maintaining their health while working under demanding conditions.
Former Acting Chairman of the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel, John Alabi, said the pressures of journalism often prevent reporters from seeking routine medical care.
“Journalists hardly find the time to go for regular medical check-ups because of the stress associated with our work. This programme reminds us that we must pay greater attention to our health and know our medical status,” he said.
Chairman of the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel, Yinka Adeniran, said the outreach was designed not only to improve journalists’ health but also to provide medical services to residents of the community hosting the chapel’s secretariat.
He thanked the management of NIKZAR Medical Centre, the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and members of the organising committee for supporting the initiative.
Mr Adeniran added that the chapel is seeking additional partnerships with healthcare providers to expand medical support for journalists and improve community access to preventive healthcare services.
