UNIFEMGA tasks FG on universal health insurance for Nigerians

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), Abuja chapter, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise a national health insurance policy for all Nigerians. A Consultant Surgeon and member of the association, Dr. Miftau Bioku, made the call on Saturday in Abuja during the second edition of a free medical check-up programme organized […]

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), Abuja chapter, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise a national health insurance policy for all Nigerians.

A Consultant Surgeon and member of the association, Dr. Miftau Bioku, made the call on Saturday in Abuja during the second edition of a free medical check-up programme organized by the association for its Abuja-based members.

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According to him, it is important for government to introduce a universal health coverage for Nigerians who cannot afford adequate medical care in the interest of national development and wellbeing.

He also urged all Nigerians who are over 40 years and above to take cognizance of their health conditions.

“Any Nigerian above 40 years, male for instance must be screened for prostate cancer, diabetes, heart condition, they are very important, same thing for women, you need to be screened for breast cancer, breast cancer is common in this part of the world.

“NMA (Nigeria Medical Association) has been championing universal health coverage in Nigeria. If everybody is covered by insurance, annually you can go to the hospital for medical check-up that is how is done elsewhere,” Bioku said

Also, the Vice President, UNIFEMGA Abuja chapter, Alhaji Yusuf Oriyomi, said the medical check-up fully funded by the association, was for UNIFEMGA members and their families to know their health status and ensure treatment where needed.

“We all know health is wealth, and as an association will take the health of our members seriously, that why we annually organize the free medical check-up.so members will know more about their health status and also take care of the challenges if the results identified them.

“You will agree with me that we are living in a very challenging time, we had lockdown, economic issues, security challenges, the issues are all over, the impact not only peculiar with Nigeria, it impacts not only in the physical wellbeing but also the mental wellbeing and that is why as an association, we conduct the medical check-up on a regular basis, the check-up covers x-ray, scan, blood samples, mammography,” he said.

On her part, a lawyer and member of the association, Mrs. Abiola Olaitan, said that the exercise is very, as many Nigerians assume they were fit and fine because they were able to walk about on their normal businesses.

“It is important to engage in their medical check-up, even if it once in a year, same way we engage in exercise. We should be more conscious. Even the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important to ensue regular medical check-up,” she said.

Another official of the association, Alhaj AbdurRahman Balogun, said that the association intend to make the exercise an annual event.