Why you need regular medical check-up - Lab scientist

A Laboratory Scientist, Mrs Mary Gbele, on Tuesday urged the general public to develop the right attitude toward their health by ensuring they carry out regular check-ups in the new year.

Gbele, who made the plea in an interview in Lagos, said that such check-ups would lead to early detection of ailments and prevention of complications that could be detrimental or cause death.

The laboratory scientist, who works at the Harvey Road Health Centre in Lagos, spoke on the sidelines of a free medical screening organised by
Eko Gas.

“Generally, the attitude of people toward their health is still very poor and this can be due to ignorance, poverty, fear and illiteracy.

“Despite the fact that this screening is free, many people still do not see the need to check their health status.

“Some of the people I have screened say they are afraid that some ailments can be discovered and they will have to go and treat themselves.

“Others say they cannot afford to pay for treatment and so they do not bother to check their status, “ she said.

The scientist said that some of the patients who had been screened were found to have some ailments and were referred to the appropriate
places for treatment.

She said that the programme involved screening for blood sugar, hepatitis B, blood pressure, malaria and weight.

“Of 50 people that we screened, two were found to have hepatitis B and have been referred to where they can commence treatment.

“When asked, they said that they were not aware and had never had the need to go for check-ups.

“Some were found to have high blood sugar and I advised them to eat in moderation, especially as we are in the festive period.

“This is why people should develop the right attitude toward regular check-ups, so that ailments can be detected early and treated, “ Gbele said.

Three participants who spoke to NAN expressed gratitude at the gesture of organising free medical test and urged more well-meaning Nigerians to carry out similar programmes.

A trader, Mrs Sola Adebayo, said that she did not visit the hospital regularly for medical check-up due to her tight schedule at work.

Adebayo said, “I know that it is important to do check-ups, but I am busy working most of the time.

“Also, I do not see the need to do check-ups as I feel I am healthy; but today the medical personnel educated me on the need to go for check-ups regularly.

“She has advised me to reduce my salt intake and increase my fruits and vegetables in my diet, because my blood pressure was high, “ she said.

Another participant, a 51-year-old businessman, Mr Felix Oghenekaro, said he did not know his blood sugar was high until he checked it.

“Now I know how important it is to do regular check-ups; also, doctors and nurses should educate us more through various means, including the media, on the need to check our status.

“It will go a long way to saving more lives and improving health generally,“ he said.

In her remarks, a 23-year-old student, Miss Martha Obianyo, said she was diagnosed to have malaria parasite and had been given some drugs.

“I appreciate free medical screenings such as this one as it will give us the opportunity to know what ailment we have.

“More NGOs, philanthropists, and even the state government should organise programmes like this regularly so that more people will be encouraged to get screened,“ she said.