Slump and die syndrome: Nigerians Urged To Prioritize Health, Routine Check-ups To Avoid Sudden Death
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By Ovat Abeng
The Chief Medical Director, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku Awka, Dr. Joe Akabuike, has advised Nigerians to prioritize their health through regular medical checkups, routine exercise, and intentional healthy living to check the growing trend of “Slump and Die Syndrome.”
Dr Akabike gave the advice during a one-day health awareness program organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra State Chapter, on Thursday, where he presented a paper on the theme of the event, End “Slump and Die Syndrome: Your Health First.”
He advised the public not to hastily bury individuals who slump or are presumed dead as many people have been buried alive through the practice, stressing the importance of taking such persons to hospital for proper medical evaluation and confirmation by doctors.
The Chief Medical Director also stressed the need for autopsy to determine the cause of death to help prevent future occurrences.
“Let’s be intentional on issues concerning our health, there’s nothing as sudden death only that we don’t in most cases don’t make our overall well-being a priority.
“Eat healthy, exercise and rest well. Check your vital signs on regular basis and keep a clean environment,” the CMD admonished.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika, appreciated members and participants present at the event for their unwavering support, and encouraged journalists and other essential workers to make their health a top priority.
Comrade Ifejika reminded all that no matter what they do or position occupied in their places of work, they will easily be replaced immediately they are dead.
“No one is indispensable, let’s not deceive ourselves that no one can do without us. It’s a lie, your replacement comes immediately after you die. Nature abhors vacuum”, She noted.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr.Emeka Odogwu, who was also the Chairman on the occasion, urged women to utilize opportunities like the Health Awareness program to learn things things that would benefit them.
In their various goodwill messages,
the representatives of some of the para military: Federal Road Safety corps(FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS), Nigeria Police force(NPF), Nigeria Correctional Service(NCS), Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade, and the Anambra Fire Service, commended NAWOJ for a timely packaging of the Health Awareness Program.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Chinyere Fessy-Okoye, thanked the guests and the participants for gracing the event, and emphasized the need for people to take their health seriously.
She also encouraged them to acquire basic first-aid tools in their homes and offices to help manage emergencies before professional help arrives.
Hipoints of the event include the CPR and practical first-aid techniques demonstration and educating participants on how to respond during health emergencies, ably led by a representative of the Nigerian Red Cross, Anambra State Chapter, Lady Nkechinyelu Nnaji, as well as cutting of the one year anniversary cake of the current NAWOJ administration in the state and May birthday celebrants.
The event concluded with the investiture of the award of Patron on Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze (Onowu Abagana/Abagana Regent, DikeNdiIgbo) Founder of Anakwenze Foundation, as most Impactful Foundation and Philanthropist Of the Year.
