NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital Launch Lifesaving Medical Outreach With Over 300 Journalists As Beneficiaries 

…High Blood Pressure, Sugar Levels Dominate Health Concerns as CDS Praises Initiative

By Pan Afric Reporters 

In strategic move to prioritize the health and wellbeing of media professionals, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in partnership with Nizamiye Hospital has  conducted a comprehensive free medical outreach for over 300 journalists in Abuja.

The exercise, held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako on Saturday, revealed a high prevalence of elevated blood pressure and sugar levels among participants—an alarming trend that underscored the importance of the initiative.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, commended the outreach as a “laudable effort” that would enhance journalists’ productivity and health. Represented by Surgeon Commodore Momoh Jimoh Salihu, Director of Medical Services, the CDS applauded the NUJ and Nizamiye for “caring for those who inform the nation.”

NUJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, expressed gratitude to Nizamiye Hospital for deploying a multidisciplinary medical team that included specialists in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, nephrology, ophthalmology, and general practice.

“Our members are constantly in the field, often neglecting their health. This outreach is just the beginning. We are committed to ensuring they receive regular care and eventually, health insurance,” she affirmed.

The outreach is part of a broader health-awareness campaign aimed at institutionalizing routine checkups and health coverage for journalists. Ike noted that the findings from the event would guide the union’s next steps in advocating for medical insurance.

Dr. Nurullo Sadokov, Deputy Medical Director at Nizamiye Hospital, emphasized that the screening is part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility and a proactive way to detect and manage underlying health conditions.

“Our team discovered journalists with hypertension, diabetes, hernias, and haemorrhoids. We will follow up with necessary medical interventions, including surgeries where needed,” he said.

Mohammed Abubakar, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Nizamiye, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid, stating, “This partnership is about prevention. We plan to continue supporting journalists’ health through future initiatives.”

The event also included eye screenings and dental checks, with the hospital pledging further treatment for serious cases at its facility.

With resounding turnout and evident health impact, the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital have set a strong precedent for proactive journalist welfare—one that stakeholders hope will become a regular feature on the union’s calendar.

“This is not the last,” Comrade Ike promised. “We will do even more to safeguard the lives of those who tell the nation’s stories.”  She said.