… Admonish Nigerians to take responsibility

By Chioma Obinna

In a bid to promote physical fitness and raise health awareness, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Ebute Metta, Lagos, held a 5-kilometre run as part of the pre-Annual General Meeting (AGM) activities for the 2022-2023 administrative year.

The maiden edition of the run was conceived as an innovative way to draw attention to the importance of exercise, not only for the public but also for health workers themselves.

Speaking on the significance of the event, a Senior Registrar of the Department of Anaesthesia and General Secretary of the ARD, FMC, Oloregbulem Victor Onyedikachi emphasised that the initiative was a novel idea for the administrative year.

“This is a way of raising awareness in the community to let them know that next week is our AGM week. It’s also a way to encourage ourselves as doctors to maintain our health through exercise. “Today’s event is a reality, and we are happy it’s coming to pass in such a blissful manner,” he said.

The President of the ARD, FMC Ebute Metta, Lagos, Dr Onyinye Lawson, highlighted the rising concern over sedentary lifestyles among health workers and the general population.

She noted that inactivity has been linked to chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

“The dangers of inactivity are more. It is one of the leading causes of heart diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. We’re seeing younger people now presenting with these conditions, which used to be seen mostly in older adults,” she said.

The event drew participation from approximately 100 registered runners, with prizes awarded to the top performers. The first-place winner received ₦150,000, while the second and third positions received ₦75,000 and ₦50,000, respectively. Additional prizes were given to the first and second doctors to finish the race, along with medals for the first 50 participants.

Speaking, a Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Internal Medicine, FMC Ebute metta, Omonibinu Jeffrey elaborated on the broader purpose of the event. “This is about promoting a balanced life. Our goal is to remind people that health is not just about medication. Exercise is a form of medicine on its own.

He said by engaging in regular physical activity, individuals can prevent conditions like heart failure, stroke, and diabetes.

 “This initiative is a step toward achieving better overall health for doctors and the wider community,” he explained.

The 5km run also marked a symbolic beginning to the AGM, which serves as a forum for members of the ARD to review their achievements, plan for the future, and elect a new executive body.

He said the AGM week is “a time to reflect on the activities of the year, learn something new through a scientific conference, and culminate with the handover to the next executive administration.”

The event was supported by several sponsors, including Pokery, Renal Plus, and Solon Pass, as well as the leadership of the FMC Ebute Metta, headed by Dr. Adedamola Dada, the Medical Director.

Corroborating their views, Dr. Akintade Adegboyega said the exercise would promote physical fitness and raise awareness about the importance of work-life balance.

Speaking about the event, Akintade explained that the initiative was aimed at encouraging both healthcare professionals and the community to prioritise their health and well-being. “This programme is all about promoting work-life balance. We need a balanced life, and this is part of our goal for the year,” he stated.

To ensure fairness and adherence to the rules, strict measures were put in place. “Any participant that breaks the rules will be disqualified automatically — no questions asked,”, warned, emphasising the importance of following laid-down guidelines for the run.

The event featured the distribution of medals for the first 50 finishers, in addition to cash prizes for the top three participants and special awards for the first and second doctors to complete the race. Participants were encouraged to adhere to the rules, and those who deviated were subject to immediate disqualification.

The 5km run is one of several activities leading to the ARD’s AGM, which serves as an opportunity for members to reflect on the past year, plan for the future, and elect new executives.

The ARD hopes to make this initiative an annual tradition, further promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and the importance of work-life balance for healthcare workers and the community at large.