By Kemi Akintokun
No fewer than 65 staffers of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos office, benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the management on Wednesday.
The health intervention which featured a medical talk , check-up and voluntary blood donation was in collaboration with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.
NAN reports that beneficiaries checked their blood and sugar levels, while eligible individuals also donated blood.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, Managing Editor and Head of NAN Lagos Operations, said the programme aimed to help staff know their health status and support humanity through blood donation.
Omowole said most people were ignorant of their health status, noting that early detection and management of ailments would go a long way to prevent total breakdown or deaths.
She said: “Many people have health conditions they are unaware of; the earlier you know your status, the sooner you can seek proper medical attention.
“A healthy workforce will improve the work ethics of the agency and that is why we have taken these steps because we need our staff to be healthy and in turn, contribute to the progress of the agency”.
Omowole assured that the programme would not be a one-off exercise, adding that plans were already on to collaborate with more organisations to make the programme a quarterly activity.
Speaking also, Mr Kevin Okonzuwa, the Head of Editorial Operations in NAN Lagos office, said the programme was organised to help staff understand their health status and the benefits of blood donation.
Okonzuwa emphasised on the importance of voluntary blood donation as a vital act of service to humanity and the numerous benefits to the body.
“Knowing one’s health condition early enables timely medical care and that is why management in its wisdom came up with the programme.
“Anyone could be in need of blood at any time and that is why it is advisable to donate our blood voluntarily for humanity,” he said.
He encouraged staffers to take their health seriously and donate their blood voluntarily once or twice a year for their health benefits.
Mrs Omowunmi Ugoro, a Principal Nursing Sister at NAN Lagos Office staff clinic, harped on the importance of regular health check for the wellbeing of the agency’s workforce.
Ugoro, who described hypertension as a silent killer that can strike at anytime, advised staff to always be on the look out and go to the nearest hospital when they noticed anything off, for proper attention.
She also urged them to take advantage of the office clinic to know their health status through regular check-up.
“This is a wonderful initiative that should be done quarterly for the staff to know their status.
“This will help boost productivity.
“We should all take our health serious and visit the hospital quickly if we notice anything different, to access timely and proper care.
“Come regularly to the clinic, or visit the hospital,” she said.
Also, Mr Ayodeji Fadipe, the Chairman of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), NAN Chapter, described the initiative as commendable.
Fadipe commended the Head of Lagos Office for showing genuine interests and efforts toward staff welfare, well-being and improving the office aesthetics.
He, however, urged management to make provisions for drugs and necessary items in the clinic a priority.
“The lecture particularly was an enlightening one as it cleared fears that many staff had about blood donation.
“It is commendable but there is still a lot to do to make the working environment more conducive to minimise hazards”.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)