Health in Ondo State

The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUPIGO) has organized a special Health talk for its workforce to ensure they are healthy and productive.

Addressing participant at the seminar the rector of the institution, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun said the lecture is necessary tot prevent disease and sudden death as a result of stress and fatigue.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Health Services of the Polytechnic, Dr. MP Idoko stressed the importance for the seminar as it covered the care of mouth, teeth, eyes, hypertension and diabetes.

He affirmed that the lessons to be gained would help them re examine and red fine their life styles.

Speaking, a consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Opeyemi Komolafe from the Federal Medical center, Owo noted that the eye is very essential saying it is an extension of the brain. According to her, some sight problems are natural while some is due to gaining.

He identified balanced diet (eye friendly foods) regular exercise, regular check up  among others as a way of preventing eye problems.

Also speaking a consultant on Endocrinology, Dr. (Mrs.) Olubukola Ojo, form the Federal Medical Center Owo, said DIABETES MELITUS is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent elevated blood glucose which is better prevented than treated.

She stated that not many people engage in exercises and tend to add weight and become obese and obesity is single most gruesome risk factor for diabetes.

She also said diabetes is a lifestyle disease and is preventable, she therefore advised that people who are over with should go for screening and those who have not been doing exercised should engage in regular physical activities because it helps to lower blood glucose. She opined that people should try to avoid simple sugar which is found in fruit juices, sweets, biscuits, soda drinks and high cholesterol foods and then embrace the consumption of fruits, vegetables and fibers.

In his presentation, Dr. M.P. Idoko, Director of Health Services in the Institution’s Health center, who spoke on hypertension described it as a silent killer which is related to high blood pressure and that it is a major risk factor for heart failure which can be triggered by inactivity, smoking, alcoholism, bad diet and stress.

He advised that regular exercise, reduced salt intake, reduced stressed and eating heart friendly diet can help prevent the risk. For people who are living with hypertension, he advised them to use their drugs regularly.

Speaking on the topic “youth teeth, your mouth as an important health gateway, Dr. Olaniyi Akindele, a Chief Dental Surgeon in the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure said that, in preventing dental diseases, people must take proper care of the teeth by brushing twice daily and keeping their mouth free of food. He also advised that people should eat fruits after every meal and visit dental clinic every two years.

Dr. A.M Obanoyen who spoke on Family Planning state that based on some demographic issues like increased birthrate of 33.27%, high infant mortality rate of 70.93%, high rate of unemployment and high dependency ratio, family planning is very important.

According to him, family planning, which connotes conception control involving men and women, is capable of inducing unwanted and high risk pregnancies as well as to reduce Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate.

He also noted that family planning guarantees better health for the women and improves children’s health. Better opportunities for their education, increase job possibilities and less emotional and economic strain for the men.

The Registrar and Chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. P. T Akinlabi in his closing remarks, eulogized the leadership offered by Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun for his commitment to the overall welfare of staff of the institution and also expressed his profound appreciation to all the resource persons for their wonderful presentations.