By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), has urged Nigerians to prioritise preventive healthcare to reduce illness and avoid preventable deaths.
The call was made by ARD-UATH President, Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, during a medical outreach for police officers and their families at Mopol 44 Barracks, Kuje, Abuja.
The 2025 outreach, organised in partnership with the Police Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), Limited, aimed to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs and support Nigeria’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Premiere highlighted that many deaths from conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure are preventable through early intervention.
He also noted the country’s shortage of doctors, citing the “japa syndrome” as a contributing factor, making prevention even more critical.
The outreach reached 171 households, benefiting about 300 individuals with services including blood pressure and sugar checks, hepatitis B and malaria tests, HIV and tuberculosis screening, eye exams, free consultations, counselling, and treatment.
Participants were also educated on health insurance, its benefits, and access procedures.
Speaking on the initiative, ARD-UATH Public Relations Officer Ogunfowokan Oluwasegun said the exercise reflected the association’s commitment to giving back to society.
Outreach Chairperson Ruqayyah Kolawole described it as part of several activities marking the 2025 AGM and Scientific Conference.
Yakubu Enape, Head of HR at Police HMO, urged other organisations to support similar programmes, emphasising the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage and reducing healthcare costs for all Nigerians.
