By Muhammad Amaan
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), has urged Nigerians to be more conscious of their health and adopt preventive measures to avoid falling sick.
The President of ARD-UATH, Dr Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, made the call during a medical outreach organised for police officers at Mopol 44 Barracks, Kuje, Abuja, and their families.
Premiere said the outreach was part of the association’s annual activities to commemorate its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference.
He explained that the 2025 edition of the outreach was organised in partnership with the Police Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) Limited to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending among police officers.
According to him, the initiative is also ARD-UATH’s contribution towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which Nigeria aims to attain by 2030.
Premiere noted that many deaths from non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart failure were preventable if individuals prioritised their health.
“Health is no longer wealth; what we now have is that wealth is health. If you do not have money, you may not be able to access quality healthcare.
“The best thing you can do is not to fall sick. Prevent sickness in whatever way you can.
“Our health sector is battling with the ‘japa syndrome’, where many doctors have left the country. You may go to the hospital and not meet the manpower you need.
“This shortage is affecting access to quality healthcare, which is why prevention is now more important than ever,” he said.
The ARD-UATH president disclosed that the doctors attended to 171 households, with about 300 individuals benefiting from the outreach.
He said services provided included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, hepatitis B screening, malaria parasite tests, HIV testing, tuberculosis screening, eye screening with distribution of glasses, free consultations, counselling and treatment.
Also speaking, Dr Ogunfowokan Oluwasegun, a resident doctor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Relations Officer of ARD-UATH, said the outreach was part of the association’s commitment to giving back to society.
Dr Oluwasegun said the Police HMO was the major sponsor of the 2025 medical outreach, adding that the exercise helped to educate police officers and their families on health insurance, its benefits and how to access it.
He advised Nigerians, especially during the yuletide season, to avoid social vices and substance abuse that could harm their health.
Dr Ruqayyah Kolawole, Chairperson of the Outreach Committee, ARD-UATH, said several activities had been lined up to mark the association’s 2025 AGM and Scientific Conference, with the medical outreach being one of them.
She expressed confidence that the outreach would positively impact the lives of police officers and their families.
Dr Kolawole also noted that the outreach coincided with the birthday of the association’s president, whom she described as having performed excellently during the 2025 administrative year.
In his remarks, Mr Yakubu Enape, Head of Human Resources at the Police HMO, said the organisation partnered with ARD-UATH to promote awareness on the importance of healthcare and health insurance.
Mr Enape said the partnership was also aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s UHC target and called on other organisations to support similar initiatives.
“The government is committed to ensuring universal health coverage for all Nigerians through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“We are here to sensitise families of police officers on the benefits of health insurance and reduce out-of-pocket expenses so that every Nigerian can benefit from the system,” he said.
