The Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, has screened about 1,000 students, staff members and residents of surrounding communities for hypertension, hepatitis, diabetes and obesity as part of activities marking its maiden convocation.
The medical outreach, held on the university campus on Wednesday, was organised to promote preventive healthcare, identify undiagnosed health conditions and encourage early medical intervention.
The exercise was coordinated by the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Chairman of the university’s Medical Outreach Committee, Dr Abayomi Ojo, who expressed concern over the number of people living with high blood pressure without knowing their health status.
Ojo explained that the screening covered weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments to identify individuals who might be underweight, overweight or obese. Participants also underwent checks for blood pressure, blood glucose, diabetes, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
He said those whose results indicated potential health concerns received medical advice and were referred for further evaluation and treatment where necessary.
The clinical sciences dean noted that obesity was becoming increasingly prevalent in society, while underweight remained another significant health concern.
He warned that obesity could shorten life expectancy and stressed the importance of identifying and addressing weight-related health risks early.
Ojo also criticised the reluctance of many Nigerians to undergo routine medical examinations, noting that some people preferred not to know whether they had an illness.
He urged the public to embrace regular health screenings, warning that avoiding medical checks could allow potentially serious conditions to remain undetected until complications developed.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Akeem Lasisi, has projected that Nigeria could record an increase in the number of female medical practitioners as cultural barriers to girls’ education continue to decline.
Lasisi made the observation during a press briefing ahead of the institution’s maiden convocation in Ila-Orangun, while responding to questions about the higher number of female students enrolled at the university.
Figures presented at the briefing showed that the university has a total student population of 3,332 across four faculties, comprising 2,245 females, representing 67.38 per cent, and 1,087 males, accounting for 32.62 per cent.
The vice-chancellor attributed the female majority partly to the gradual rejection of cultural biases against women’s education and what he described as women’s natural inclination towards caring professions.
He expressed optimism that improved access to education for girls and changing social attitudes could contribute to more women pursuing careers in medicine and other healthcare-related fields.
