BREAKING ‼️ NMA ENUGU TAKES ‘SAVING THE SAVERS’ CAMPAIGN TO NSCDC, OFFERS FREE MEDICAL SCREENING FOR OFFICERS

As Physicians’ Week 2026 gathers momentum, Dr Kelvin Emeka Ortuanya-led medical team educates civil defence personnel on preventive healthcare amid concerns over officers’ health and workplace demands.

In a remarkable demonstration of compassion and commitment to public health, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State Branch, has extended its 2026 Physicians’ Week celebration to the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, with a medical outreach aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing of officers.

The outreach, led by the Chairman of NMA Enugu State Branch, Dr Kelvin Emeka Ortuanya, and his team of medical experts, featured health education, sensitisation lectures and medical screening designed to encourage personnel to prioritise their health while carrying out their security responsibilities.

The initiative aligns with the central theme of this year’s Physicians’ Week, “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria,” particularly its first sub-theme, “Saving the Savers: Promoting Physicians’ Wellbeing and Preventing Burnout, Cardiovascular Disease, and Premature Death.”

The campaign resonated with the NSCDC personnel, whose responsibilities include protecting lives and property, supporting public safety and defending vulnerable members of society.

Speaking with a correspondent of SPOTLIGHT ONLINE NEWS on the motivation behind the outreach, Dr Ortuanya explained that the NMA leadership recognised the similarities between the demanding responsibilities of medical practitioners and those of military and paramilitary personnel.

According to him, both professions involve significant responsibilities, demanding schedules and a commitment to protecting lives, often leaving little time for personal healthcare.

He noted that security personnel frequently find it difficult to access medical services because of the nature of their duties, time constraints and, in some cases, financial limitations.

Dr Ortuanya explained that the decision to take the outreach directly to the NSCDC headquarters was informed by the need to bridge this gap and bring preventive healthcare closer to those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

He further disclosed that the initiative would not necessarily end with the Civil Defence Corps, indicating that similar outreaches could be extended to other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

His message underscored the philosophy behind the Saving the Savers campaign: those who work tirelessly to preserve the lives of others must also be encouraged and supported to preserve their own health.

As part of the programme, medical experts from the NMA Enugu State Branch delivered health education lectures to NSCDC personnel on preventive healthcare and the importance of early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions.

The sensitisation sessions addressed hypertension, high blood pressure, prostate cancer and cervical cancer, among other health concerns.

The medical experts encouraged the officers to take personal health monitoring seriously, seek timely medical attention and embrace preventive healthcare practices rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.

The lectures also highlighted the importance of understanding health risks, undergoing appropriate medical examinations and making informed decisions that promote long-term wellbeing.

The initiative reinforced the importance of regular health checks, particularly among professionals whose demanding work schedules may make routine medical consultations difficult.

Beyond the sensitisation lectures, the outreach featured medical screening and basic health assessments for the officers.

The services included blood sugar testing, blood pressure checks and screening for malaria and typhoid, among other assessments.

By bringing these services directly to the NSCDC headquarters, the NMA team provided personnel with an opportunity to assess aspects of their health while gaining valuable information on preventive healthcare.

The outreach also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between professional medical associations and security institutions in promoting the wellbeing of public servants.

The Deputy Commander of Corps Administration and Head of the Medical Unit of the NSCDC, G. O. Ogbujah, expressed profound appreciation to the NMA Enugu State Branch for bringing the medical outreach to the command.

She described the initiative as timely and beneficial, noting that the lectures had equipped personnel with useful knowledge on the importance of prioritising their health before taking responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the general public.

Ogbujah commended Dr Ortuanya and his team for extending the outreach to the command's doorstep, describing the gesture as an important demonstration of professional solidarity and concern for the welfare of security personnel.

She also drew attention to concerns surrounding reports of officers collapsing and dying while on duty, stressing the importance of health awareness and preventive measures among personnel.

Her remarks reinforced the need for security agencies to give greater attention to the health of their workforce, particularly in view of the demanding nature of their responsibilities.

The NMA Enugu State Branch’s outreach to the NSCDC reflects a broader understanding of healthcare as a responsibility that extends beyond hospitals and medical facilities.

By taking medical education and screening services directly to security personnel, the association demonstrated how professional medical expertise can be deployed to reach populations whose work schedules and operational demands may limit their access to routine healthcare.

The initiative also highlighted the connection between the wellbeing of security personnel and their capacity to discharge their duties effectively.

For officers charged with protecting lives, maintaining public safety and safeguarding property, access to preventive healthcare is an important component of personal welfare and operational readiness.

As the 2026 Physicians’ Week celebration continues, the NMA Enugu State Branch has demonstrated the practical significance of its Saving the Savers message by reaching beyond the medical profession to care for another group of professionals committed to protecting society.

Ultimately, the outreach delivered a powerful reminder: the hands that protect the public also need protection, and those who dedicate their lives to saving others deserve opportunities to safeguard their own.

Report by SPOTLIGHT ONLINE NEWS