By News Writing & Reporting (MAC 201) Group Four
The University of Jos Non-Communicable Disease Survey Group has commenced a screening exercise for non-communicable diseases for members of staff of the institution.
The screening which holds at the University of Jos Health Centre, Permanent Site, every Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 12noon till the April 10, has been attracting a lot of members of the university community.
Unijos Echo Online witnessed one of the sessions during which those seeking to be tested were given forms to provide vital health information.
Medical personnel was seen taking blood samples, weight and height measurement, blood pressure and urine samples for conducting various tests.
Some of those who went for the screening, described it as very appropriate because they often neglect their health due to various reasons.
According to a staff from the Office of the Registrar who preferred to be anonymous, the exercise is timely as the university is trying her best to stem the rate at which young staff members pass away as a result of non-communicable diseases.
A lecturer in the Department of Economics Mr. L. Ogaba shared the view saying, “it is a welcome development and I believe the university wants to know the health status of every staff so as to reduce the prevalence of death and increase productivity of the staff through health management. If you are tested you will know your health status, take proper medications and precaution, then you become useful to your family and the university community.
According to Dr Amaka Ocheke, one of the investigators from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the exercise is carried out by the Medical Research Group in the institution and funded by the University through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) “so that people will know when the have health problems and then properly access health care.”
She also stated that non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure are preventable diseases “that are causing death in our environment even within the university community, so we want to be sure that workers are healthy because only a healthy worker can offer better services”.
She express delight with the turnout of staff saying they have attended to 154 staff members made up of 90 males and 64 females within two days of the exercise.
