A general health physician at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Dr Adejumoke Adegoke, has advised Nigerians to go for regular checkup, saying it could help to detect high blood pressure and other ailments for early intervention.

 

Adegoke said this during the annual health week organised by the Collective Club of Remo Community in Sagamu, Ogun State, last Saturday.

 

She listed the risk factors for high blood pressure to include family history, excessive alcohol, stress, drug abuse and addiction. Adegoke said, “Aside from these risk factors, a pregnant woman can also develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is, therefore, important to be vigilant about our health by going for regular checkup.

 

The President of the club, Mr Sammy Ogunjimi, said the event, during which over 300 people were given free checkups was organised as a way of giving back to society by members of the club. Ogunjimi stated, “We have looked around and we noticed that most people in the rural areas have a lot of health issues, which they cannot address because of the high cost of treatment.

 

“The club tends to focus on chronic health diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, eye infection and cancer by giving free test and treatment during the annual health week. We also carried out a free eye test, giving people free glasses and carrying out surgery where necessary.”