Know your health status to avoid sudden death, UNILORIN don advises Nigerians
An Associate Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Dr Hafsat Abolore Ameen, has encouraged Nigerians, particularly staff members of the nation’s most sought-after University, to cultivate the habit of knowing their health status in order to avoid sudden death.
Dr Ameen gave this advice recently while delivering a health talk as part of the annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ilorin Emirate Staff Association, University of Ilorin.
The renowned health educator explained that most of the sudden deaths usually recorded are not sudden in the real sense of it. This occurred due to ignorance or outright negligence of symptoms of terminal illnesses by careless individuals.
Dr Ameen explained that it is important for individuals to go for regular health check-ups to know their Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar level, Lipid profile and Body Mass Index(BMI), among others.
She added that those who are obese or found with any of those health conditions or are offsprings of those who have any of the identified health challenges should take the periodic evaluation more serious for them to remain healthy.
Dr Ameen, who is also a Consultant Epidemiologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, insisted that no situation should prevent adults from being responsible and responsive to their health needs.
She also urged the Federal Government to commit more resources to the health sector in view of the significance of healthy population to the progress of a nation.
Dr Ameen noted that the various health insurance programmes and policies of the Federal and State Governments should also be made more popular and affordable among the ordinary people of the country.
Dr Ameen added that when the people are able to access health facilities and purchase recommended drugs their health situations would improve and that they would be able to contribute more meaningfully to national development.