BY OLUWARAISE-ME-UP
No fewer than 300 residents of Ekiti State have benefitted from a free medical outreach organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, as part of activities marking its 2025 Press Week celebration.
The outreach, held in partnership with Maternal-Child Specialists Clinic, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Debby’s Place, and other health organisations, featured free medical consultations, health screenings, and distribution of clothing materials to participants.
Beneficiaries received free tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, malaria, cervical and prostate cancer, as well as general wellness consultations and family planning counselling.
Delivering a health talk during the event, Prof. Idowu Pius Ade-Ojo, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ekiti State University and founder
Maternal-Child Specialists Clinic, Ado Ekiti emphasised the need for individuals to prioritise preventive healthcare, maintain healthy lifestyles, and seek early medical attention when necessary.
“Good health begins with what we eat and how we live. Rest, proper sleep, stress management, and regular medical check-ups are crucial to healthy living,” Prof. Adeojo stated.
He cautioned against self-medication and advised expectant mothers to take folic acid regularly, plan pregnancies, and book for antenatal care early. According to him, “It is more economical to prevent diseases than to cure them.”
Prof. Adeojo further urged journalists to pay special attention to their health, noting that their profession is demanding and only a healthy journalist can effectively perform his or her duties.
In addition to the medical services, participants were seen joyfully selecting free clothing items donated by Debby’s Place, one of the partners of the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Chairman of the 2025 Press Week Committee, Comrade Lawrence Ibitoye, who represented the State Council Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, commended Prof. Adeojo and his team for their unwavering support to the union and to the larger society.
“This outreach has become a major component of our annual Press Week because it touches lives directly. In the last two years, this partnership has helped thousands of people across Ekiti. We appreciate our partners and urge beneficiaries to make the best use of this opportunity,” Ibitoye said.
He reiterated the union’s commitment to programmes that promote the welfare of journalists and improve public health in the state.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mr. Tosin Ogunseesin, Mrs. Oluronke Ajayi, and Mrs. Rosemary Ayita, expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the outreach as a huge relief.
“The tests that would have cost us thousands of naira were done free of charge. I also got some clothes for my family, which has eased my Christmas worries,” Mrs. Ayita shared joyfully.