The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has partnered with Nizamiye Hospital, a private medical facility in Jabi, Abuja, to organise a free medical outreach in June, coinciding with its upcoming Press Week.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the council announced that the partnership was formalised during a courtesy visit led by the Council Chairperson, Ms. Grace Ike, to the hospital.
Ike said the initiative was aimed at promoting public health awareness and providing free healthcare services to journalists within the Federal Capital Territory.
“The visit also provided an opportunity for both parties to explore potential areas of collaboration, particularly in health advocacy and community service,” she added.
Ike commended Nizamiye Hospital’s commitment to quality healthcare and ongoing community support, reaffirming the union’s dedication to raising awareness about accessible local health services.
“We look forward to a stronger partnership beyond this medical outreach.
“For example, the hospital’s partnerships with state governments on issues such as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were not widely publicised.
“Our platform can help amplify such causes nationwide, as we represent all journalists in the FCT.
“We also have our own news platform and website, which can be used to promote these initiatives. This collaboration marks the beginning of a broader partnership beyond the outreach,” Ike added.
She noted that the medical outreach would be a highlight of the NUJ-FCT Press Week and emphasised that the collaboration was a significant step forward in bridging media and medical advocacy in Nigeria.
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Abubakar, who represented the hospital, expressed readiness to support the Press Week and other medical outreach efforts targeted at journalists.
Abubakar, while welcoming the partnership, said the hospital would proceed with the outreach upon receiving a formal letter outlining the plan.
He called on the media to help reduce medical tourism by spotlighting quality healthcare options available within the country.
Abubakar also shared details of the hospitals past outreach programmes, which had benefited thousands across states such as Nasarawa, Katsina, Bauchi, and Imo.
“In Keffi, we treated about 2,500 patients over two days. In Katsina, around 2,250, in Bauchi, approximately 2,700, and in Owerri, about 1,700.
“Just last week, we attended to about 800 people, including those from neighbouring areas.
“We originally planned for between 1,500 and 2,000 patients and even left behind medications for continued use,” he said.
He noted that the medical outreach covered various specialties, including cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
Abubakar emphasised that the hospital’s outreach programmes were part of its corporate social responsibility to support the less privileged and promote community well-being.
He also commended the Federal Government for lifting import tariffs on pharmaceuticals; a move he said would improve access to essential medications.
“It’s not all about business; it’s about helping people. For instance, we pay high electricity bills and retain foreign-trained doctors,” he added.
He ended by urging the media to intensify awareness about local treatment options, noting that unchecked medical tourism continued to challenge the growth of Nigeria’s healthcare sector. (NAN)
