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Fawaz Adebisi
The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Aro branch, organized a health workshop and conducted free medical tests for about 200 participants as part of efforts to promote healthy living and preventive healthcare among healthcare workers.
The event, themed “Your Health, Your Priority”, was held on Wednesday at Conference Hall 1 of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
Participants underwent free fasting blood sugar, hepatitis B and blood pressure tests before the start of classes focused on healthy lifestyles and health emergency awareness.
Speaking during the opening session, the Chairman of MHWUN Aro Branch, Comrade Ojewande Oluwafemi, urged members and other participants to prioritize their well-being, stressing that good health remains essential for productivity and quality of life.
He appreciated the guest speakers for their contribution to the program and reminded the participants that “health is wealth”, stressing that no career or responsibilities should come at the expense of personal health. He also offered prayers for the members and participants.
During the first lecture, Mrs. Ololade Oladunni, a clinical nutritionist and certified dietician and head of the nutrition department at Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital, highlighted the importance of healthy eating habits, especially among busy workers.
According to her, unhealthy lifestyle choices such as skipping breakfast, poor sleeping habits, inadequate water intake, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and poor stress management significantly contribute to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
“When you eat well, your immunity improves, your energy level increases, your mental health improves and fatigue is reduced,” he said.
He warned that a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity, weight gain, poor concentration and other health complications.
Ms. Oladunni advised participants to eat a balanced diet, reduce intake of carbonated drinks, fried foods and junk foods, avoid overeating, consume more fruits and vegetables and stay properly hydrated.
Describing healthy eating as an investment in long-term well-being, he urged participants to adopt healthier dietary practices.
“Let food be your medicine and not medicine be your food,” he said.
The second lecture was given by Mrs Elizabeth Orebiyi, who spoke about recognizing signs before collapse and responding appropriately during emergencies.
He stressed that prevention is better and cheaper than cure, underlining the need for greater awareness of health conditions that can lead to sudden collapse.
Ms Orebiyi identified heart attacks, low blood pressure, severe bleeding, dehydration, sepsis, stroke, emotional stress, anxiety, tiredness, drug or alcohol intoxication and severe allergic reactions among the common causes of collapse.
It also educated participants on early warning signs and basic first aid measures that can be administered before professional medical help arrives.
Additionally, the event included recognition and celebration of retired union members who were honored for their years of dedicated service to the healthcare industry.
Speaking in an interview, the Branch Secretary of MHWUN Aro, Mr. Olaoye Adeyeye Ayola, said the program combines three main activities: a health seminar, a retirement appreciation ceremony and the annual general meeting of the union. General assembly.
He explained that while the retirement ceremony and AGM are annual events, the health seminar is organized periodically to educate members on health-related issues, including nutrition, mental health, diabetes and other emerging health issues.
“The seminar is designed to help our members understand how to manage their health and improve their lifestyle. We bring in professionals to educate them about healthy living and disease prevention,” he said.
Ayola added that the retirement program serves as a platform to appreciate members who have dedicated decades of service to the profession.
“We appreciate them, pray with them and present them with gifts. Spending 35 years in service is no small achievement,” he said.
He revealed that around 15 pensioners attended this year’s appreciation ceremony, while many others were unable to attend due to travel and other commitments.
The industry secretary also encouraged healthcare workers to join professional unions, describing union membership as an important source of welfare, representation and career support.
The event concluded with the union’s Annual General Meeting and cooperative discussions among members.
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