HEALTH CHECK-UPS: SAVING LIFE AND ENSURING LONGEVITY

Healthcare and healthy living is one of the basics of life and existence. It is quite incredible that we attribute several health challenges even the fatal ones to an "unknown cause" which in the actually sense are due to human negligence. Many deaths and unfortunate medical conditions especially in the developing world are related to not having a good value for health check-ups which are vital in early detection of diseases and in their proper management. As a healthcare professional whose is currently into community pharmacy practice, i have seen that major health challenges people faced resulted from negligence or indifferential attitude especially towards health check-ups.

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The human body is designed to give signs and symptoms for an impending or already established disease or health condition which can easily be averted by prompt i.e. swift response to it or through routine check-ups. It's amazing how people do the servicing of their cars and other equipments/gadgets but left out their own body check-up. I believe we need to do better as regards routine health check-up which i strongly believe will be a panacea to many untimely deaths we see around. For instance, i had this relative who is diabetic and was rushed to the hospital with him confessing to me this week that if not that it has gotten to the need for hospitalisation, he wouldn't have bulged.

This person beckoned on me and for each of my visit performing check-ups for him while managing the condition, his response from the check-up shows good blood sugar level and I'm happy it has been well managed now after several efforts, counselling and therapy. I wonder how people complain of not having time for check-ups but have time for other things at the expense if their health. In the developed world, health check-ups are not taken with levity as they place premium on it but it's another ball game in developing countries. I strongly support making check-ups compulsory at least once in a year with strong penalties for defaulters. This will indeed pace a way for longevity and save many from health casualties.

The government can help by declaring a day or two for this purpose as work-free day so that there won't be excuse for anyone not to engage in such. In addition, primary health care, community pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories are key to achieve this. I do say it that any amount spent on one's health is never a waste and as the saying goes thus: "Health is wealth" which is indeed true. By routine health check-up, we will have a more healthy and productive population. Based on my observation, i give kudos to the female gender because i observed they take their health more important than we the men and jokingly, this is the answer to someone's question on why "women live longer than men?". Health check-up is not burdensome and should be subsidized for the common good of all citizens of a nation been made compulsory with heavy penalties for defaulters. Thanks so much for reading even as comments and contributions are welcomed.

This is my entry to @Hivelearners weekly featured contents, week 156 edition 02 on "Compulsory Check-Up" Thumbnail designed using Canva.