The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has partnered with Nizamiye Hospital, a private medical facility in Abuja, to organize a series of free medical outreaches for journalists, beginning in June and as part of activities marking the forthcoming Press Week.
The initiative is aimed at promoting public health awareness and improving access to quality healthcare services for media professionals in the FCT.
During a courtesy visit to Nizamiye Hospital, the NUJ FCT Council delegation led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, discussed key areas of collaboration, including health education, medical outreach, and long-term community support.
Welcoming the delegation, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Nizamiye Hospital, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, expressed the hospital’s readiness to support the NUJ’s health-focused initiatives.
“We welcome this kind of partnership. All we need is a formal letter detailing the outreach plan, and we will proceed together,” Abubakar stated.
He urged the media to play a more active role in promoting local healthcare services in order to reduce medical tourism. Abubakar also shared the hospital’s successful track record of medical outreach programs across several states, including Nasarawa, Katsina, Bauchi, and Imo, where thousands of people received free medical attention across various specialties.
“In Keffi, we treated about 2,500 patients in two days; in Katsina, around 2,250; in Bauchi, approximately 2,700; and in Owerri, about 1,700. Just last week, we attended to about 800 people, many from neighboring communities,” he noted.
He explained that the hospital’s outreach covers several specialties such as cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry, as part of its corporate social responsibility to support the underserved.
Abubakar also commended the Federal Government for the recent removal of import tariffs on pharmaceutical products, saying the policy would enhance access to essential medicines.
“It’s not just about business; it’s about saving lives. We pay huge costs to maintain 24-hour electricity and retain our foreign-trained doctors, but our passion remains community health,” he added.
In her remarks, Comrade Grace Ike lauded Nizamiye Hospital for its consistent contributions to healthcare development and community outreach.
“This partnership signifies our commitment to the welfare of journalists and the broader public. We look forward to sustained collaboration that will also spotlight issues such as supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other underreported humanitarian efforts,” she said.
She added that the NUJ FCT Council is ready to use its platforms, including its official website and news outlets, to amplify awareness on such initiatives.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the medical outreach project, which will be a major highlight of the NUJ FCT Council’s Press Week.
The partnership marks a significant step in bridging media and healthcare advocacy in Nigeria.
