The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has partnered with Nizamiye Hospital to organize a free medical outreach in June and during the NUJ’s upcoming Press Week. The initiative aims to promote public health awareness and provide free healthcare services to journalists within the Federal Capital Territory.

During a recent courtesy visit to Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, the NUJ delegation, led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, discussed potential areas of collaboration, particularly in health advocacy and community service. The hospital’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Abubakar, expressed readiness to support the Press Week and series of medical outreaches for journalists.

“We welcome this kind of partnership. All we need is a formal letter outlining the outreach plan, and we will proceed together,” Abubakar said. He also urged the media to highlight the quality healthcare options available locally to help reduce the increasing trend of medical tourism.

Abubakar shared the hospital’s successful outreach programs, which have served thousands of Nigerians in various states. “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,” he explained.

The outreach programs cover multiple specialties, including cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. Abubakar commended the Federal Government for removing import tariffs on pharmaceuticals, noting that this policy would significantly improve access to essential medicines.

“It’s not all about business but also helping people. For instance, we pay so much on electricity and keep our foreign doctors,” he added. He emphasized the need for the media to tackle medical tourism and create more awareness about treatments available in Nigeria.

Comrade Grace Ike praised Nizamiye Hospital’s dedication to quality healthcare and its ongoing community support efforts. She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to raising awareness about local healthcare solutions and improving the welfare of its members through strategic partnerships.

“We look forward to a stronger partnership beyond this medical outreach. For example, issues like supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in partnership with states are not well publicized. Our platform can help amplify such causes across the country, given that we represent all journalists in the FCT,” Ike said.

The collaboration represents a significant step forward in bridging media and medical advocacy in Nigeria, with the medical outreach set to be a key highlight of the NUJ FCT Council’s Press Week.