Ekiti urges residents to prioritise regular health checks

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State Government has urged residents to make regular medical check-ups and personal hygiene part of their routine to promote early detection and prevention of diseases.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, gave the advice on Tuesday during the flag-off of a three-day Health Awareness and Medical Outreach in Ado Ekiti.

Filani, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the programme was organised by Optimal Health in partnership with Peacemakers Community Development Foundation and the state government.

He urged residents to take advantage of the free health services offered during the outreach and seek medical attention whenever abnormalities were detected during screening.

The commissioner advised residents not to wait until an illness became severe before seeking treatment, stressing that early knowledge of their health status could help prevent complications and reduce treatment costs.

Filani also described personal and environmental cleanliness as a collective responsibility, urging government agencies, community leaders, health workers and residents to work together to maintain healthy surroundings.

Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, advised residents to wash their hands regularly, use hygienic toilets, protect water sources, dispose of waste properly and eliminate stagnant water around their homes.

The outreach featured health education, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, eye examinations and the distribution of medicines, while organisers urged residents to adopt preventive health practices and seek medical attention early.