2022 Physicians Week: NMA tasks members on frequent health checks

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara chapter, has advised doctors
to always go for regular medical check-up to ascertain the status of their health.

The Chairman of Kwara NMA, Dr Abdulkadir Ahmed, gave the advice on Friday in Ilorin, during medical check-up
for doctors, as part of activities to mark the 2022 Physicians’ Week.

Ahmed observed that most doctors were busy in the clinics trying to save lives, adding that members hardly remember to
check their health status.

He said “we felt that as an association, we should look at how we care for members, which is the paramount agenda of
this administration.

“We are going to make sure that our members are healthy and they are fit to do their job and take care of their families too.”

The Kwara NMA chairman explained further that two days had been set aside to enable members get screened to know their health status.

According to him, part of the activities marking the physician’s week also include engaging with young doctors and mentoring them generally,
as well as medical practice and future plans for the profession.

Dr Mariam Abdulbaqi, the Vice-Chairman of the Kwara NMA, explained the importance of the week, adding that it is a week-long event
designed to celebrate members and review their contributions to the society.

She added that “as we all know, there is brain drain in the country; doctors are being overworked, and they hardly have time for themselves.

“We have recorded a few deaths among doctors due to treatable and preventable diseases.

“The NMA has realised that members spent a lot of time managing other people without actually looking after themselves.”

Abdulbaqi observed that for the first time, some doctors discovered that they have elevated blood glucose levels, while others found
that their blood pressure was high.

“You would not be surprised that when you ask a lot of doctors the last time they checked their blood pressure, they
would tell you they could not even remember.

“We are happy that we incorporated health fitness checks in our activities because we realise that we need to take our
health very seriously.” (NAN