How to curb silent killer diseases — Experts

Medical experts have urged Nigerians to embrace regular visits to the hospital for health checks, noting that it can help in early diagnosis and treatment of silent killer diseases.

The experts made the call during a medical outreach organised by the Gbagada General Hospital.

According to the Managing Director of the hospital, Dr. Segun Babafemi, some conditions can be properly and seamlessly treated when the diagnosis is made early.

“But because we hardly go for regular health checks, we are taking this to people,” Dr. Babafemi added.

He further said that the medical outreach contains screening for hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, eye problem, Malaria, and dental check.

He said, “The outreach was a community service. We are doing a free medical mission involving screening common ailments. These are the ailments that are silent killers; hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.

“And this is not just going to be a one-off thing, this is what we want to be doing regularly, going to our various markets, and garages to screen people to let them know their health status and how it can be managed easily.

“For example, kidney disease. We know that the disease is quite common with those that have diabetes, those that have been screened for having diabetes and hypertension, are going to be screened for kidney disease and we will send their results to them.

“We are not just going to send their results to them but also counsel them on what to do.

“This is part of our own contribution to make people know their health status and know how to manage it without it becoming worse.”

Also speaking at the event, the director of clinical services at the hospital, Dr. Famuyiwa Olusoji, noted that lack of awareness makes people cover up their ailments.

He said, “You see, hypertension has been with us for a very long time. Now, the management is improving. People now believe they can live comfortably with hypertension. I have a mom that has hypertension and she’s still living on her drugs. So side effect is minimal when you comply with your prescription.”