The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), has urged Nigerians to be more health-conscious and adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of illness.
The President of ARD-UATH, Dr. Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, made the call during a medical outreach organized for police officers at Mopol 44 Barracks, Kuje, Abuja, and their families.
Premiere said the outreach formed 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 organized in partnership with the Police Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Limited to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending among police officers.
According to him, the initiative also represents ARD-UATH’s contribution toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which Nigeria aims to attain by 2030.
Premiere noted that many deaths resulting from non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart failure are preventable if individuals prioritize their health.
“Health is no longer wealth; rather, wealth is health. Without financial resources, accessing quality healthcare can be difficult.
“The best approach is to prevent illness as much as possible,” he said.
He also highlighted challenges facing the health sector, including the ongoing brain drain commonly referred to as the “japa syndrome,” which has led to a shortage of medical personnel.
“This shortage affects access to quality healthcare. You may visit a hospital and not find the manpower you need. That is why prevention is now more important than ever,” he added.
The ARD-UATH president disclosed that the outreach attended to 171 households, with about 300 individuals benefiting from the exercise.
He said services provided included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, hepatitis B screening, malaria parasite tests, HIV testing, tuberculosis screening, eye examinations with the distribution of eyeglasses, free medical consultations, counseling 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 reflected the association’s commitment to giving back to society.
Oluwasegun said the Police HMO was the major sponsor of the 2025 medical outreach, adding that the exercise also 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 substance abuse and other social vices that could harm their health.
Dr. Ruqayyah Kolawole, Chairperson of the ARD-UATH Outreach Committee, 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 optimism that the initiative would have a positive impact on the lives of police officers and their families.
Kolawole also noted that the outreach coincided with the birthday of the association’s president, whom she described as having performed creditably during the 2025 administrative year.
In his remarks, Mr. Yakubu Enape, Head of Human Resources at the Police HMO, said the organization partnered with ARD-UATH to promote awareness on the importance of healthcare and health insurance.
Enape said the collaboration was also aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s UHC target and called on other organizations to support similar initiatives.
“The government is committed to achieving universal health coverage for all Nigerians through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“We are here to sensitize 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.
