The Chairman of Gbagada Phase II Residents Association in the Bariga Local.Council Development Area of Lagos State, Mr. Adewale Tijani has stated thatthe group wants residents of the area to be conscious of their health status always.
Speaking against the background of the health screening exercise organised weekend for residents of the area and the general public, Tijani stated that with otherwise healthy people just slumping and never recovering alive, it was important to do periodic medical examination to avoid such emergencies that could lead to death.
With the collaboration of the Muslim Medical Volunteers of Lagos State, the residents' association performed free blood pressure test, urine analysis and general consultation for Mafolukwu and Gbagada Phase II communities where hundreds of people turned up.
Speaking to journalists during the exercise, Tijani reiterated that the reasons for the programme was to avail people the opportunity of knowing their health status, get treated for common diseases such as malaria and above all, counselled on the importance of such periodic checks.He emphasised that the initiative is a corporate social responsibility of the Gbagada Phase II Estate residents association with the aim of strengthening the relationship between both benefitting communities. He said the medical personnel from their partners, the Muslims Medical Volunteers of Lagos State, rendered the free medical screening exercise for bothcommunities and prescribed drugs for some with complaints.
"Over the years, this initiative has encouraged residents to monitor their health status. It is amazing and fulfilling to see the crowd that is part of this programme. This shows that the initiative has helped the residents in both communities. The individuals that were screened that came out with infections based on the tests were given free drugs as well," he said.
A member of the medical personnel explained to THISDAY that urinalysis test is commonly used to diagnose a urinary tract or kidney infection to evaluate causes of kidney failure, to screen for progression of some chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and high bloodpressure (hypertension).
He added that it might also be used in combination with other tests to diagnose some other diseases.
"Additional tests and clinical assessment are often required to further investigate findings of urinalysis and ultimately diagnose the causes or specific features of an underlying problem," he explained.
He explained that blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries.
"Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers-the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement is written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure measurement of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is expressed verbally as "120 over 80. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic," he said further.He stressed that high blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart to work too hard and it also makes the walls of the arteries hard as well.
"High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first- and third leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can also cause other problems such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.
"Having your blood pressure checked is quick and easy. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers systolic pressure 'over' diastolic pressure. For example, the doctor or the. nurse might say '130 over 80' as a bloodpressure reading. Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important.
As we grow older, systolic blood pressure is especially important," he added.A resident of the community and a beneficiary, Mrs. Ronke Afolabi said that the free health care was a good idea adding that she was glad to be part of the screening exercise.
Afolabi commended the organisers of the programme and singled out the chairman of the resident association for the wonderful opportunity he provided her to know her status.
One of the doctors that participated in the exercise,Dr. Ade Ekemode of Ekemode Memorial Hospital, Surulere, Lagos said the free screening exercise was a good move by the association, citing the fact that medical check-up is not common among Nigerians citizens. He said that the programme was good for the community because it came from good consciences.He added that some of the patients that knew their medical status from the checks could proceed further with treatment of the conditions detected.
Ade also said there were certain predisposing factors that could lead to hypertension such as stress and added that if identified early enough, it could be managed to prevent complication like stroke.
"This programme does not screen for HIV, but from blood pressure checks they can be able to detect those with hypertension and the urine test candetect candidates with diabetes," he added. He said he had participated in the programme since 2010 eventhough he is not a resident of the community.
The Secretary to the Bariga Local Council Development Area, Mr. Johnson stated in an interview that the free medical programme was organised by the Gbagada Phase II Residents' Association to render comprehensive medical service to the people. He commended the initiative of the association for complementing government efforts in the health care delivery project.
The Bale of Mafolukun community, Mr. Badamosi thanked the organisers of the programme on behalf of his community for the opportunity given the residents to enjoy the benefits of the programme.
Source: ThisDay
Speaking against the background of the health screening exercise organised weekend for residents of the area and the general public, Tijani stated that with otherwise healthy people just slumping and never recovering alive, it was important to do periodic medical examination to avoid such emergencies that could lead to death.
With the collaboration of the Muslim Medical Volunteers of Lagos State, the residents' association performed free blood pressure test, urine analysis and general consultation for Mafolukwu and Gbagada Phase II communities where hundreds of people turned up.
Speaking to journalists during the exercise, Tijani reiterated that the reasons for the programme was to avail people the opportunity of knowing their health status, get treated for common diseases such as malaria and above all, counselled on the importance of such periodic checks.He emphasised that the initiative is a corporate social responsibility of the Gbagada Phase II Estate residents association with the aim of strengthening the relationship between both benefitting communities. He said the medical personnel from their partners, the Muslims Medical Volunteers of Lagos State, rendered the free medical screening exercise for bothcommunities and prescribed drugs for some with complaints.
"Over the years, this initiative has encouraged residents to monitor their health status. It is amazing and fulfilling to see the crowd that is part of this programme. This shows that the initiative has helped the residents in both communities. The individuals that were screened that came out with infections based on the tests were given free drugs as well," he said.
A member of the medical personnel explained to THISDAY that urinalysis test is commonly used to diagnose a urinary tract or kidney infection to evaluate causes of kidney failure, to screen for progression of some chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and high bloodpressure (hypertension).
He added that it might also be used in combination with other tests to diagnose some other diseases.
"Additional tests and clinical assessment are often required to further investigate findings of urinalysis and ultimately diagnose the causes or specific features of an underlying problem," he explained.
He explained that blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries.
"Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers-the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement is written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure measurement of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is expressed verbally as "120 over 80. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic," he said further.He stressed that high blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart to work too hard and it also makes the walls of the arteries hard as well.
"High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first- and third leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can also cause other problems such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.
"Having your blood pressure checked is quick and easy. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers systolic pressure 'over' diastolic pressure. For example, the doctor or the. nurse might say '130 over 80' as a bloodpressure reading. Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important.
As we grow older, systolic blood pressure is especially important," he added.A resident of the community and a beneficiary, Mrs. Ronke Afolabi said that the free health care was a good idea adding that she was glad to be part of the screening exercise.
Afolabi commended the organisers of the programme and singled out the chairman of the resident association for the wonderful opportunity he provided her to know her status.
One of the doctors that participated in the exercise,Dr. Ade Ekemode of Ekemode Memorial Hospital, Surulere, Lagos said the free screening exercise was a good move by the association, citing the fact that medical check-up is not common among Nigerians citizens. He said that the programme was good for the community because it came from good consciences.He added that some of the patients that knew their medical status from the checks could proceed further with treatment of the conditions detected.
Ade also said there were certain predisposing factors that could lead to hypertension such as stress and added that if identified early enough, it could be managed to prevent complication like stroke.
"This programme does not screen for HIV, but from blood pressure checks they can be able to detect those with hypertension and the urine test candetect candidates with diabetes," he added. He said he had participated in the programme since 2010 eventhough he is not a resident of the community.
The Secretary to the Bariga Local Council Development Area, Mr. Johnson stated in an interview that the free medical programme was organised by the Gbagada Phase II Residents' Association to render comprehensive medical service to the people. He commended the initiative of the association for complementing government efforts in the health care delivery project.
The Bale of Mafolukun community, Mr. Badamosi thanked the organisers of the programme on behalf of his community for the opportunity given the residents to enjoy the benefits of the programme.
Source: ThisDay
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