Health experts have recommended ways for people to achieve optimal health and stay healthy for a long time.
The experts spoke in interviews in Lagos, saying that it had become necessary for people to take responsibility for their health.
They spoke on the sidelines of a medical in-reach programme organised by the Love of God in Christ Church (LOGIC), Lekki 1 as part of its contribution to the health and well being of its members and community at large.
Dr Irene Etuoma, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at a Lagos-based clinic, Eye Doctors, advised citizens to always prioritise their eye health and ensure that they had their eyes checked at least once a year.
She lauded the church for organising the programme to allow for more people to use the opportunity to check their health statuses.
“The commonest reversible cause of visual impairment worldwide is called refractive error, meaning that some people, without the use of glasses, their vision is blurry.
“However, by the time they go to the eye clinic and have their eye checks done, simple glasses are given to them; it changes the course of things; they are able to see clearly.
“Other common visual impairment include cataract, which is also reversible and glaucoma, which is irreversible.
“We encourage everybody to at least, get protective glasses to wear against the blue light emanating from our devices and use lubricant to make their eyes comfortable.”
Ms Lalique Obioha, a Physiotherapist, said the commonest conditions affecting the elderly, and recently, young adults, were back and knee pain.
”Many people do not care for their backs and put a lot of pressure to their backs, thereby causing damage to the spine.
“The usual cause of back pain include wrong sitting posture, the type of chair people sit on: a chair should have a curve at the lower back to support the spine.
“Another cause is the bed: if you sit on a bed and the imprint of your buttocks is seen when you stand up, that is a bad bed; It should be firm enough not to show any imprint.
“Another issue is the way people bend down to pick objects, which is wrong; the way to pick up objects is to squat, especially if it is a heavy object.
“Standing and sitting for long hours can also cause back pain; so, if you have a job that requires you sitting and standing for too long, take breaks.
“I recommend strengthening exercises for the back, so that it will be strong enough to withstand any pressure life throws at it.”
A Massage Therapist, Ms Elizabeth Bakare, said that regular massages were necessary to achieve optimal health.
Bakare said many people were unaware of the health benefits, therefore, the need for more awareness creation.
“Many people skip the importance of massage; in our daily lives we carry out lots of activities, which then builds up tension in various parts of our bodies like our shoulders, back, arms.
“Also, when we leave it for too long without getting a massage it builds up into pain, aches or even more than that.
“So, it is very important to get regular massages; maybe twice a month, or buy the equipment for massages and do it yourself,
“Other importance of regular massage therapy include reduced high blood pressure; even when you finish an exercise it is very important to get massages to reduce any built up tension, “ she said.
The Head, Medical Team, LOGIC, Dr Becky Solomon, said that the programme was aimed at encouraging preventive therapies and care for people.
“We decided to do this in-reach because it is a way to help people that are in church and take care of them.
“The aim is not just to reach people that may have symptoms now, but a form of preventive therapy and care.
“Also, to speak to people that probably have complains; just want to do general check up and a way to help with early detection of any preventable illnesses.
“Generally, just to give holistic and total care to every single person because miracles are also in the things that we do, service we provide, and work we give.
“So, this is our little way of giving back to the members of the church,” she said.
Solomon said that the programme would be part of the church’s agenda moving forward.
“This is the first-of-its-kind and we intend to continue, not just in-house, but also help people outside the church; to help the less privileged; people that cannot afford medical care.
“We just reach out to them and it is a way of spreading the gospel to them; inviting them to church to hear the word of God because that is really what is important.”
In his remarks, an Assistant Pastor, LOGIC Church, Pastor Lanre Olubaji, lauded the initiative and urged people to take their health seriously.
“It is good to see the church organising the first-of-its-kind health in-reach for church members and people around.
“It is important to do medical check up from time to time and it will shock you to know that people do not know that some things are wrong with their health until they do the check up.
“I encourage everyone to do health check up, full body check, just to know what exactly needs to be fixed before it gets to the stage where it becomes a major problem in the body.
“I am glad that the church is able to organise this to make sure that people are checked; so we are not just praying blindly, but according to precision, we know exactly what is going on.
“Also, I thank God that the Apostle over this house, Dr Flourish Peters, is able to approve this in-reach, and we are expecting more of this. “ Olubaji said.
Two participants, who lauded the programme called for more of its kind, saying it would go a long way to help people stay healthy.
One of them, Ms Keita Agandu, lauded the organisers, saying health was wealth and close to godliness.
“I expected more crowd because it is free; it shows that people do not prioritise their health.
“However, it is important that people do so because the last thing you will want to deal with right now is your health.
“This is amazing; we should have more of this; people should also be enlightened; this is an opportunity to have a medical check for you to be sure you are fine,” she said.
Another participant, Ms Tracy Tuoyo, described the in-reach as fantastic and encouraging.
“Personally, I do not like going to the hospital, but I wanted to just make use of this opportunity because it feels like I am home; it is family and easy.
“Also, the medical team has been wonderful, and consultations have been very relaxing.
“I think it is something we can do regularly to encourage people to come out because a lot of people are scared to go to the hospital
“Also, some people think about the financial aspect, but when it is free and comfortable, people will want to actually come out, “ Tuoyo said.
