The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Amos Magaji, has strongly advised Nigerians to regularly check their health status through periodic visits to hospitals or private medical laboratories. Magaji expressed concern that many Nigerians neglect their health until they are seriously ill and require hospitalization. He emphasized that regular medical tests are crucial for maintaining long-term health and longevity.
According to a report by The Punch, after the committee's oversight visit to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in Kwara State on Friday, Magaji highlighted the availability of high-quality radiology departments in Nigeria's tertiary health institutions. He urged Nigerians to take advantage of these facilities for periodic health checks.
"Most Nigerians don’t go to the hospitals to check their organs until they fall sick. I want to advise them that they should go to the radiology department in our hospitals for periodic health checks. Women should make use of a Mammogram for the test of breast and Cervical cancer while men should also go for tests for Prostate enlargement regularly at least once a year," Magaji stated.
He emphasized that these health checks are essential for detecting potential health issues early, thereby improving outcomes and ensuring better health. "We have this equipment in our hospitals. We should make use of this opportunity so as to enjoy better health and long life. People should develop a culture of periodic health checks on their bodies. They should not wait until the time they are sick before going to the hospital. They should go to the radiology department to know the condition of their body system."
Magaji also pointed out that regular health checks help doctors provide more informed and effective care when patients do need medical attention. "This will also assist doctors to know their health status when they get to the hospital. They should not wait until the time that they are sick before conducting health checks either in the hospital or approved medical laboratories in the country."
Magaji warned against the dangers of self-medication. He noted that the misuse of drugs, including local herbs known as Agbo, has contributed to the rising incidence of renal and liver diseases in Nigeria. "Many Nigerians are used to taking different types of drugs including Agbo (local herbs) and other drugs not prescribed by medical experts without thinking of their effects and that is why cases of renal and liver diseases are becoming rampant among our people."
He urged Nigerians to seek medical advice from qualified professionals before taking any medication. "Nigerians should desist from taking unprescribed drugs, they should seek medical advice from experts before they take drugs when they are sick."
Magaji also cautioned against purchasing cheap drugs from unverified sources, emphasizing the importance of quality over cost when it comes to medication. "Though people are complaining of the high cost of drugs in the country, it is better to take expensive drugs than to take cheap drugs that will send you to an early grave."
Magaji lamented the low budgetary allocations for capital projects in tertiary health institutions. He pointed out that inadequate funding hampers the provision of necessary facilities and equipment. "The government should increase capitation of the National Health insurance. As at present, the National Health insurance covers below 20% of the people, it should be increased to about 80% and you cannot have health for all if people are still paying from their pocket."
During the oversight visit to UITH, Magaji noted that the hospital’s capital budget was notably lower than required. "With this oversight function, our assessment is that the capital allocation for the hospital is too low. If we want to reverse the medical tourism in this country, we have to develop infrastructure and replace key equipment in our hospitals and there should be a change of attitude of our medical professionals."
Magaji assured that the committee would advocate for increased capital budgetary allocations for health institutions in the 2025 budget. The Chief Medical Director of UITH, Professor Abdullahi Yusuf, echoed these concerns, highlighting challenges such as poor power supply, high diesel costs, and funding shortages. Yusuf appreciated the committee's visit and stressed the need to minimize medical tourism by improving local healthcare facilities.
The call for regular health checkups and better healthcare funding is a crucial step towards enhancing the health and well-being of Nigerians, ensuring they have access to the necessary medical services and facilities.