By Chioma Obinna
Wellness is more than being free from illness but attaining a higher quality of life where individuals and groups can consistently perform optimally and very often surpass their set goals.

This formed the focus at the official unveiling of Dennis Ashley Wellness Centre, the first clinical facility in Lagos solely designed for preventive health. The World Health Organisation, WHO, describes wellness as the critical state of health of individuals unfortunately preventive health remains underrated in Nigeria.

Dr Chima Obi DAWC

In the views of a Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr. Chima Oti, Nigeria’s healthcare expenditure is very low with report  showing 5.8 percent spend of the country’s GDP on health related matters annually, hence, the need for Nigerians to adopt preventive healthcare.

Oti, who is also a member of the Royal College of Anaesthetist and certified Health Educator, United Kingdom, UK,   explained that wellness solutions have been reported to limit rampant healthcare costs.

Lamenting the rising prevalence of non communicable diseases, NCDs, in Nigeria, he   stressed the need for  evidence-based measures in reducing  the risk factors of NCDs being a key component. According to him, wellness is more than being free from illness.

He said Dennis Ashley Wellness Centre, DAWC, would fill in the gaps by offering opportunities for people to choose healthy options in all the various aspects of their own wellness.

“DAWC was borne out of a need to blend under one roof most of the different elements that give rise to the concept of wellness. The Centre is primarily dedicated to actively helping individuals and establishments become more aware of healthy choices towards a balanced and fulfilling life. ”

Speaking, a Consultant General Practitioner and associate member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, UK, Dr. Oge Ilegbune explained that DAWC  measures and improves all the key drivers of well – being, health and productivity, spanning personal, emotional, health and work issues.

“What the health risk assessment form will do is to first of all identify if you have a problem. The health assessment forms are very affordable.  We are also planning to organise lectures, seminars and other enlightenment programmes to change the attitude of Nigerians about their health. On his part, a Preventive Health Advocate and IT Director, Dennis Ashley Wellness Centre, Dr. Obi Igbokwe said the negative attitude to health is borne out of ignorance and lack of proper awareness on wellness. “The common perception of an average person is that ‘I don’t need to go to the hospital, I am okay.  I don’t need to go and seek trouble. I look well and feel well.  It is not my portion’.  “We are trying to defeat this perception. We need to look inward and understand that prevention is better than cure.”