Disease Prevention: Doctor Tasks Govt on Healthcare Facilities, Education Improvement
Funmi Ogundare
A Medical Doctor and Head of Clinical Services, Clinix Healthcare Limited, Oluwaseun Akindasa yesterday, called on governments at all levels to improve on making healthcare facilities available for the common man in Nigeria and ensure that there is adequate health education in the country that will focus on disease prevention rather than treatment.
Dr. Akindasa who made this known at the Y2023 Health Week of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), themed, ‘Healthy Living ‘, stated that more healthcare facilities and personnel needed to be on ground especially in the rural areas, adding that government should focus on campaigns that will educate the people on preventing diseases rather than on treatment in other to improve healthcare in the country.
She expressed concern that accessing healthcare is expensive in Nigeria, and that poor people especially in the rural areas have to trek several miles to access quality healthcare.
According to her, “for instance, in the rural areas, pregnant women have to trek several miles to access antenatal care. There should be room for improvement in the healthcare system. We need to subsidise healthcare delivery and ensure healthcare insurance. There are so many things that should be done by government and individuals.”
The medical doctor advised Nigerians to curtail certain lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking and ensure a general health screening regularly by having their blood pressure and general health check, as well as breast examination, saying that early detection of a disease saves life.
“Nigerians should look out for signs and symptoms and understand their health. As an individual, you need to know what to avoid and how your lifestyle can affect your health. Unhealthy lifestyle such as drinking, smoking can lead to death,” she stated.
Speaking with journalists, the Executive Chairman of the board, Dr. Akeem Shittu expressed concern that most people don’t check their health status because they are too busy.
He explained that good health means productivity and that a healthy mind and body will be productive.
He appealed to its staff to take advantage of the opportunity to know their health status.
“Quite a number of people suffer from one ailment or another, but early detection is key to treat such ailments as it will enable you control your lifestyle.”
