By Idara Aloysius
The Sigma Club, University of Ibadan, organized the fourth edition of its annual free health outreach, at SUB Car park on Saturday, June 28, 2024.
According to Sigma club chief, Toyinbo Ayodeji, the significance of the annual health outreach is one of its philanthropist services to the society.
“This is part of our philanthropist initiative to ensure that we provide free medical services to university of Ibadan students” he told UCJ UI.
He also noted that this year’s edition was different from the last one, with more medical services and partnerships involved than before.
“We have a lot of partners, we are partnering with the university of Ibadan student union and that’s a huge difference for us” he added.
The outreach kicked off with talks on mental, oral, reproductive and environmental health.
A representative of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr Adetola Odofin spoke on general health and hygiene, stressed the importance of being intentional about personal health.
She further advised students to pay attention to little habits like hand washing, proper laundry management, eating fruits, drinking enough water and avoiding alcohol.
“Your health is as good as what you eat”, she said
Speaking on mental health, members of the Asido Campus network, highlighted the importance of mental health, noting that its not only about major breakdowns but also about maintaining a stable mind.
They listed academic workload, poor sleep, family and peer pressure as common stressors in students life.
Other individuals came up to give extensive teachings on how to maintain good oral hygiene, and measures students can adopt to prevent infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis.
Following the health talks, participants proceeded to undergo a series of free medical checkups and diagnostic tests.
Attendees received services such as Body Mass Index checks, blood pressure readings, otoscopy, and doctor consultations.
In addition, tests were conducted for blood sugar levels, HIV, and Hepatitis B.
Furthermore, Sigma club committee chairman for the event, Daniel Bright, noted that the event was held in partnership with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Asido Campus network, and the Student Union, university of Ibadan, Oral Health initiative.
“The event aims to bring healthcare checkups to members of the university of Ibadan because we know that the average Nigerian don’t prioritize constant medical checkup” he added
A resident of Akobo, Ibadan, who preferred to remain anonymous, commended the efforts of Sigma club in organizing the health outreach citing how expensive such services could be in medical facilities.
“For me I feel it’s worth it to come all the way from Akobo, because if I should go to the hospital to conduct all these tests it’s going to be very expensive” she stated.
