MDCAN urges doctors to prioritise health

The Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta Chapter, Dr Emeka Christian, has urged physicians to prioritise their health and mental wellbeing to stay alive.

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Christian, who spoke at the MDCAN 2024 Annual Scientific Conference/General Meeting on Wednesday, noted that most doctors often neglected their own health at the expense of caring for patients. The theme of the conference was “Physicians Heal Thyself”.

He said: “We have noticed that most of the time, because of the nature of our work, we are bombarded with a lot of patients. Even when you are stressed out and `dying’, your patients, because of their peculiar needs and most of the time, as doctors, we tend to get carried away by the expectation of the society. Doctors are dying due to stress and the current reality we are facing that has to do with shortage of doctors has worsened the situation. This is why we are saying doctors must settle down first and be sure that they are in good health in order to be in the best state to care for people “.

Speaking also, Dr Ademola Dada, the Medical Director of the hospital, advised doctors to be mindful of their health and find time to socialise.

According to Dada, good health is not just merely the absence of diseases or infirmities, but the state of physical, social and mental well-being, quoting the World Health Organization’s definition.

The medical director said: “Physicians live a triangular life, from their homes to their clinics or surgeries and back to their home. As doctors care for their patients, it is also important that they take care of their health and try as much as possible to socialise and get exposed generally to other sphere of life apart from medicine”.

Dr Olubukola Aseru, a Consultant Histopathologist, who delivered a lecture on the conference theme “Physicians heal thyself”,  said doctors did not prioritise their health in spite managing their patients’ health.

“It has been recognised that doctors, being the vehicle of treatment, management and care for several patients, tend to not prioritise their own health. We have found so many cases of illness amongst doctors because they did not take care of themselves properly and that is why we are looking at this critically, to know why doctors don’t seek care like their patients. Immediately you notice something about your health, don’t downplay it. Ensure you get care from outside, not self-care and also from the appropriate physician to treat what you think is wrong,” he said.

NAN/Wumi