By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Lecturers of Eastern Technical University (ETU) in Kenema are going through free medical screening for diabetes, blood pressure, weight and other illnesses. The check-ups were being done by Daisy and Jabbie Physiotherapy Centre in collaboration with the medical laboratory department of the university.
According to the Public Relations officer of the physio centre, Mohamed Vandi Lukuley, the organization decided to provide free medical service to lecturers because of the many sudden deaths occurring. He attributed that to the lack of knowledge of persons’ health status and failure by people to report early signs of health complications.
He said Daisy and Jabbie physiotherapy saw the need to provide free health screening so that lecturers will be able to know their health conditions.
Three hundred members of staff are being screened. Abdul Karimu Mende, a lecturer said the screening was important as it could help in diagnosing any suspected ailment.
He however stated that from an ethical point of view, there should be complete confidentiality to the results of the screening.
He reminded the therapy centre of the need to do a bit of counselling to erase any fear of the outcome.
The Deputy Registrar of ETU Mohamed Allie recalled the support he received from the physio when he was injured in an accident and said the exercise would be of great significance to the wellbeing of the teaching and auxiliary staff at ETU.
Victoria Kaigbanja who had gone through the screening said she has been able to know the level of her increased weight and her sugar level which has shot up, conditions which she admitted she could never have known without the screening. “Some of us have no time to check for our pressure and glucose level but this has helped so much,” she said.
She encouraged other staff to do the screening, saying it will help them with their health condition since “health is wealth”.
Kaigbanja said women most times experience a lot of health complications without early notice. She said family pressure, work and other things can all lead to high blood pressure and appealed to the management of the physio to continue extending such services to them at the university. There are plans to extend the same screening to the clergy, military and police.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (04/03/22)
