As part of the strategic activities planned by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Abuja, multiple health outreaches were organised for men in service across various security agencies in Nigeria.
The outreaches, which took place from June 18th to 20th at the agencies’ base in Gwagwalada, benefited men and woman from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS, formerly VIO) stationed in Abuja.
Implemented by the Premiere Adewale-led ARD-UATH Executives alongside the Committee on Special duties, these outreaches were aimed to promote health and wellbeing among men in service, providing essential health services, health education, and screenings for common health issues affecting men and women.
Speaking with the organising committee chairman, Dr. Adams Egwakhide, explained that the decision to host this medical event specifically for men in service was informed by the unique health challenges and barriers to accessing timely care they face due to the demanding nature of their duties. “We recognised that men in service often prioritise their work over their own health, sometimes until complications arise. This outreach was our way of bringing essential health services directly to them, raising awareness, encouraging early detection, treatment, and regular follow-up, and showing appreciation for their dedication to serving our community.”
According to the PRO ARD-UATH, Dr Ogunfowokan Segun, “During the Outreach, staff members at the FRSC Gwagwalada were educated on the importance of lifestyle modification for good health, and were also trained on Basic Life Support (BLS) to enhance their capacity to properly give necessary first aid to road traffic accident victims before they are brought to the hospital for further management”.
The BLS training covered Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with hands-on practice using mannikins. Additionally, the staff were screened for common diseases, including hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus, obesity and others. This was achieved by checking their hepatitis B status, body mass index (BMI), random blood sugar, and urinalysis, with appropriate medical counselling provided post-screening by the resident doctors on ground.
Besides the medical benefits for the officers, Dr. Adams Egwakhide further highlighted that this was also an opportunity to foster a working and synergistic relationship with security agencies. As this partnership is essential in building mutual trust and opening the lines of communication between resident doctors and their colleagues in other government agencies within Gwagwalada Abuja.
In remarks made by the 31st ARD-UATH President, Dr. Adewale S. A-Premiere stated, “I’m delighted that this collaborative partnership with our sister agencies like the FRSC, the NPF and the DRTS is coming at a time that it’s highly needed. Particularly because we are able to build the capabilities of these service men on “how to handle accident/unconscious victims” and teach them some form of Basic Life Support techniques as first responders on many occasions of accident.
Also, this serves to foster co-operation between ARD-UATH and other governmental institutions, as well as a healthier workforce. Especially now that we are battling with Human Capital Flight (aka The Japa Syndrome) in the health sector, I feel those who have chosen to stay back in the country and practice as Doctors should not encounter any encumbrance on the road, either going for call or returning home from their respective duties, like I told the service bosses, “an average Nigerian Resident Doctor is a law abiding citizen”. I am happy that we are able to make impact as an Association by giving back to the community we belong and look ahead to what the future holds”.
Plans are underway to expand this program to marketplaces, schools, churches, orphanages, other government agencies within Gwagwalada-Abuja and other underserved areas where people may not have easy access to regular healthcare. “But for this to be possible, we hope to collaborate with other institutions and stakeholders like the Gwagwalada area council and some NGOs”, said the organizing committee chairman.
Various positive feedback was also gotten from beneficiaries, many expressed gratitude for the convenience and care provided, mentioning that this was their first time undergoing some of the screening tests, like the Hepatitis B screening.
“For me, the most rewarding part has been how welcoming and enthusiastic the men in service were by our program. It was also clear to me that they are willing to make healthier lifestyle choices which was one of our major objectives. This motivates my team and I to keep improving and expanding the program to reach even more people who need it”, said one of the ARD-UATH volunteer doctors participating in the outreach.
Over the period of 3 days, 80 FRSC officers, 117 Police Officers and 40 DRTS Officers were screened, health educated and trained to respond to emergencies through this outreach program.
Editor’s note:
This report article was collated by Medical Mirror Correspondent, Dr Mary O. Agoyi Awoniyi.
