FCT NUJ Announces Free Medical Checks For Journalists

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in collaboration with Nizamiye Hospital, is set to host a free medical outreach for journalists in the capital.

The outreach, which will take place from 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the NUJ FCT Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, is part of activities lined up for the 2025 Press Week.

The partnership was first sealed in May 2023, when Grace Ike, chairperson of the FCT NUJ, led a delegation to Nizamiye Hospital to finalise the arrangements.

Ike described the initiative as part of efforts to support the well-being of journalists in the territory who often face health challenges due to the demands of the profession.

“We look forward to a stronger partnership beyond this medical outreach,” she said.

“This collaboration is just the beginning of a broader partnership beyond the medical outreach.”

Mohammed Abubakar, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Nizamiye, welcomed the partnership and reiterated the hospital’s commitment to supporting the press.

“We welcome this kind of partnership. All we need is a formal letter outlining the outreach plan, and we will proceed together,” Abubakar said.

He also encouraged journalists to spotlight the availability of quality healthcare within Nigeria as a way of curbing medical tourism.

Recalling Nizamiye Hospital’s previous outreach efforts, Abubakar said: “In Keffi, we treated about 2,500 patients over two days. In Katsina, around 2,250; in Bauchi, approximately 2,700; and in Owerri, about 1,700. Just last week, we attended to about 800 people, including those from neighbouring areas who rushed to the venue.”

“We initially planned to see between 1,500 and 2,000 patients. We also left the remaining medications at the local facility for continued use.”

The hospital’s outreach programmes cover cardiology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry, as part of its corporate social responsibility.