The World Health Day is a day set aside to inform all to take their health seriously and to also advocate for the need to prioritize health and wellness.
In commemoration of this day, free checkups and treatments would be given in various countries across the globe as well as raising awareness about critical health issues facing the world and mobilizing efforts to address them. This would enable highlighting health issues as a priority area of concern for the World Health Organisation.
The theme for World Health 2024: “My health, My right,” signifies the need to mobilize efforts in advising all and sundry to indulge in regular checkups.
This would help in ascertaining early diagnosis of illness before it becomes uncontrollable and to also help guarantee good health.
This year’s theme was chosen to champion for the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. To celebrate this day, people from around the globe come together to promote a healthier world for everyone and to recognise WHO’s achievements.
According to the World Health Organisation Council (WHO) on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services.
This underpins the fact that at least 4.5 billion people — more than half of the world’s population — were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.
Menton Family Dental Care advises that individuals should make it mandatory to see a dentist within three to six months so as to keep your teeth in a great condition.
Also, it is advised that people age 18 and older with optimal blood pressure and no heart disease risk factors should have a blood pressure test at least once every 2 to 5 years while people age 40 and older or younger with an increased risk of high blood pressure should have a blood pressure test every year.
Medical experts are also saying that anyone above the age of 40 should do a complete medical check up every year.
According to Healthline, people under 50 years should engage in regular checkups once every 3 years while once a year after turning 50.
For women, screening tests like mammogram for breast cancer screening between the age of 50 and 75, Pap smear for cervical cancer screening between ages 21 and 65, high Cholesterol screening starting at age 45, Osteoporosis screening starting at age 65 are all encouraged.
As for the male gender, screening tests for high cholesterol starting at age 35, prostate exam starting at age 50, abdominal aneurysm screening for age 65 to 75 with a smoking history should be regularly done after a good discussion with a medical doctor.
This amongst other various tests that every individual must do regularly. Just like the popular saying in the Nigeria local parlance; “Health is Wealth”, should be strongly keyed into.
Truth be told, a huge population of Nigerians do not go for regular checkups and sort to buying medicines over the counter or marking use of local herbs or traditional medications.
One importance of checkup is that it helps inspect your body for any unusual growth or marks and identify a life threatening disease early and give room for early treatment as well.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for your Checkup:
* If you’re seeing a new doctor, gather your medical information, including your insurance card, old records, and vaccination history. Take these with you to the appointment. If you don’t have your vaccination history, your doctor can order blood work to test for antibodies in your blood. This is called an antibody titer test.
* If you’ve seen the doctor before, make a list of what’s changed in your medical and surgical histories since your last visit.
* Make sure your medication list is up-to-date and includes any vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medications, and herbal remedies you’re taking. You may be asked to bring in the actual prescription bottles.
* Make a list of new symptoms, allergies, or medication reactions you’ve had since your last.
* Let your doctor’s office know if you have any special needs, such as a need for a wheelchair etc.
With the celebration of the World Health Day, it will help signify the need to give optimal attention to our overall health and Wellbeing, train the health force and advise on labor policies, improve the quality of healthcare and access to essential medicines & health products as well as essential services.
