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A Medical Consultant with the Archbishop JKA Aggey Foundation in Lagos, Mrs Oluseyi Kadiri, Lagos, has underscored the importance of periodic health checks, saying it is necessary as it would help to identify early signs of disease and prevent deaths.
She stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the end of a two-day medical outreach held by the foundation at Obalende, Lagos.
According to her, the results of surveys conducted indicated that most Nigerians no longer go for periodic health checks.
Kadiri noted that while it is necessary for people to struggle for their daily needs, it is imperative that they also check their health status.
“It is often advisable for one to periodically check his/her health status as that helps for early treatment and prevents avoidable deaths,’’ she advised.
Kadiri revealed that the Archbishop Aggey Foundation attended to more than 760 persons out of which 118 persons were tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
She noted that some patients with serious health challenges were referred to higher health facilities for follow-up actions.
“The referral at Sura Primary Health Centre is a demonstration of the commitment of the foundation towards proper healthcare,’’ he said.
Kadiri, who doubles as the Lagos State Coordinator for the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, said any person diagnosed with HIV should not panic as the era when it was perceived as the death sentence was gone.
She added, “They will undergo further tests called based line test to check for the volume of red blood and white blood cells `CD4 count test’.
“Further diagnosis will be done to ascertain their liver functionality to know the volume of the anti-virus in their body, as well as the type of drug regime to administer.”
Kadiri said psychosocial support counselling is usually conducted before disclosure of the status of the patient for effective management.
She advised those on referral to ensure they adhere to medical instructions, while the HIV-positive persons should go for enrolment and drugs as advised by medical experts.
“You must continue to go for your drugs until you attain an undetectable viral suppression level, thereafter, visits to the health facility could be once every three months or six months,’’ she said.
Kadiri further said once someone attains the undetectable viral level, the person can no longer transmit the virus to others and can even have unprotected sexual intercourse.
(NAN)
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