Doctor advises women to show more concern about their health

An Eko Hospital Anaesthetist in Lagos, Dr Oluwayemisi Ogundun, on Tuesday urged women to take responsibility for their health for the benefit of their families.

She made the call at an occupational health programme hosted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos for female workers with the theme “Work, Women and Well-being.’’

Ogundun said most Nigerian women fulfill their roles of homemaking and keeping regular jobs and forget about their wellbeing.

She said that the pressure of doing both jobs effectively could greatly effect a woman’s health if not managed properly.

The anaesthetist said “as primary caregivers, women often put their own health on the back burner, without realising that if they get sick or die, they would not be around to take care of the family.

“Women need to realise that they are important to their husbands and children and therefore self neglect tantamount to family neglect.’’

While stressing that women needed to make their health a priority, she said that health was more than the absence of illness as it included mental, social, emotional, as well as physical wellness.

“To achieve these, women should see their doctors on time, they should take their drugs in time, they should eat well and avoid risky behaviour.

“Risky behaviour includes everything from alcoholism, smoking, texting when driving or even driving without a seatbelt.

“Women should take steps toward physical and mental wellness by exercising, sleeping on time and avoiding stress.

“When diagnosed with an illness or when pregnant, women should ask questions about their treatment and if not satisfied, do research on the Internet or get a second opinion, do not just rely on what the doctor says.’’

Ogundun said that certain diseases ran in certain families or specifically affect females like breast and cervical cancers, adding that “studies show that even the illnesses that affect both genders are more damning on women than men.’’

She explained that women were more likely than men to break down from depression and anxiety, noting that women must take steps to prevent their dual roles at home and work from leading to illness or death.

“Who will take care of the husband and children you are struggling for if something happens

to you?,’’ she asked.

Mrs Olamipkin Oladotun, the Assistant Manager, Occupational Health of NPA, who also talked about the health of women, said “wealth is not a substitute for health, yet good health is a contributing factor to wealth.

“The work output of a healthy person far exceeds that of a sick person.’’

The assistant manager said Nigerians were in the habit of discussing health issues but very few practiced what they learnt about improved health.

She urged women to find a healthy balance between their home and work life for their benefit and that of their families. (NAN)

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Reporting by Babatunde Akinsola in Lagos, Nigeria.