Many Women Careless About Their Health – Dr. Ogundun

An anaesthetist in Eko Hospital, Lagos, Dr Oluwayemisi Ogundun, has stressed that women must take better care of their health for the benefit of their families.

Ogundun underscored that Nigerian women carry on with their roles of home keeping and bread winning, sometimes to the detriment of their health.

Making the the call at an occupational health programme by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for female workers, she said women often forget about their own wellbeing, even when they are not really alright.

At the programme, with the theme “Work, Women and Well-being”, Ogundun stated that the pressure of doing both jobs effectively could greatly affect a woman's health if not properly managed.

The anaesthetist said, “as primary caregivers, women often put their own health on the back burner, without realising that if they get sick or die, they would not be around to take care of the family. They need to realise that they are important to their husbands and children. Therefore, self neglect is tantamount to family neglect.”

Stressing that women need to make their health a priority, she said health is more than the absence of illness as it includes mental, social, emotional, as well as physical wellness.

To achieve these, women should see their doctors on time, take their drugs in time, eat well and avoid risky behaviour, which includes alcoholism, smoking, texting when driving or even driving without a seatbelt. Women should exercise, sleep on time and avoid stress.

“When diagnosed with an illness or pregnant, they should ask questions about their treatment , and if they are not satisfied, should do research on the Internet or get a second opinion, not just relying on what the doctor says,”

Ogundun said that certain diseases run in certain families or specifically affect females like breast and cervical cancers. She added, “Studies show that even illnesses that affect both genders are more damning on women than men.”

Women are more likely to break down from depression and anxiety than men are and must take steps to prevent their dual roles from leading to illness or death. She asked, “Who will take care of the husband and children you are struggling to take care of, if something happens to you?”

Mrs Olamipkin Oladotun, the Assistant Manager, Occupational Health of NPA, added, “wealth is not a substitute for health, yet good health is a contributing factor to wealth. The work output of a healthy person far exceeds that of a sick person.’’

Oladotun said Nigerians were in the habit of discussing health issues but hardly practise what they learnt to improve their health. She therefore urged women to find a healthy balance between their home and work life for their benefit and that of their families.