Oyi/ Ayamelum 2023: ZLP Candidate, Dr Nwachukwu, gifts free medical check-up, treatments to over 400 journalists
It was all joy at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, NUJ Secretariat, Awka, Anambra state, as philanthropist and medical expert, Dr Amaechi Nwachukwu, gifted free health check-up and treatments to over 400 journalists in Anambra State.
Dr Amaechi is the Medical Director Princeton Orthopedic Hospital, Awka and the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, for OYi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency in the 2023 election.
Among the services delivered by the renowned surgeon to journalists were free tests on: Blood pressure, blood sugar, treatments and free medical consultations, among many others.
The medical expert who chaired the NUJ health week seminar admonished Journalists to always check their health status from time to time and to take the issue of their health important.
In his words, “Often time I hear people say since I was born, I have never visited a hospital. Those persons making such statements are time bomb waiting to happen. These days that sudden death happens, we should be careful about our health.
“Many people move around with explosive hypertension. We need to go for regular check-up for blood sugar and blood pressure and also rest properly.
“There have been records of underserved or avoidable deaths and these can be minimized through constant health check-up”
He warned journalists to consider the state of their health as they go about their daily works, noting that one needs to be alive to work.
While he urged them to pause from to time to time to check the state of their health, he said; “one not checking his health status is a time bomb waiting to happen. We should be careful with our health.”
He urged journalist to use their profession to influence the rehabilitation and equipment of hospitals in the state, noting that over 100 legislators that represented the state at the National Assembly since 1999 did nothing to improve the state of the health centres in the state.
Declaring the health week open, Anambra state governor, Professor Charles Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, described journalism as an energy sapping profession that deals with a lot of mental stress.
He urged the professionals to make out time to rest to avoid sudden breakdown and ailments. He also advised them to shun bad lifestyle that emanate from the pressures of the job to live long.
Speaking on the theme: A Healthy Journalist: An Asset to the Nation, Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, Dr. Joe Akabuike, warned that unhealthy journalism can lead to increased hypertension.
He said over 90% of Nigerians live with hypertension but are unaware until it starts causing damages in their health.
According to him, high blood pressure can lead to dementia, stroke, blindness and the rest. He also said the early sign comes in the form of headaches, vertigo, lightheadedness, altered vision, fainting episodes, tinnitus, among others.
Earlier the NUJ Chairman in Anambra State, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu said the event was deemed necessary due to the prevailing sickness in the society. He urged his members to always make out time to examine their health and take appropriate actions where required.
Others who spoke at the event were the commissioner for health, Dr. Afam Obidike; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, and Dr Kenneth Nwokolo who hailed from NSCD infection Prevention and Control Focal Person, Anambra State.
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Team Nwachukwu Media
