A United States-based Nigerian medical practitioner, Dr Erina Imasogie, has said that health workers, including doctors and nurses, often make the worst patients due to their tendency to prioritise others while neglecting their own wellbeing.
Imasogie made the assertion during a medical outreach held on Saturday in Lagos, urging healthcare professionals to take deliberate steps toward safeguarding their health.
The outreach, organised by Erina Help and Care Foundation in collaboration with Love of God in Christ Church, was part of activities marking four years of the foundation’s existence.
She noted that doctors frequently work long hours attending to patients without recognising the toll on their own health.
“That is something that I, personally, am still working on; but a couple years ago, I had a health condition and I was still working and ignoring it,” she said.
“It went on until a colleague noticed my condition and advised me to take care of my health. This is what happens with many doctors who sacrifice but ignore their own wellbeing.
“It is high time doctors, nurses and all health personnel prioritised their health.”
Imasogie explained that the foundation was established to provide care for vulnerable populations, drawing from her over 15 years of experience in healthcare, particularly in critical care.
She emphasised that many people suffer due to lack of awareness about their health status, noting that the foundation focuses on wellness and empowerment as key pillars.
Also speaking, Resident Pastor of LOGIC Church, Philip Yahweh, stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups, likening the human body to machines that require consistent servicing to function optimally.
He described the outreach as part of the church’s corporate social responsibility, aimed at complementing government efforts in improving public health.
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A beneficiary, Yetunde Balogun, underscored the importance of early medical checks, urging Nigerians not to delay seeking healthcare until conditions worsen.
“It is always better to check early because some medical conditions require early detection to prevent complications later on,” she said.
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