…Hospital pledges free cataract surgeries as 2025 Press Week kicks off
By Queen Kunde
Over 250 journalists received free medical care on Saturday as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in partnership with Nizamiye Hospital, kicked off its 2025 Press Week with a second batch of medical outreach in Abuja.
Held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat, the outreach provided general health checks, cardio screenings, and eye examinations. A major highlight of the event was Nizamiye Hospital’s pledge to offer free cataract surgeries for journalists in need, in a move hailed as both generous and historic.
NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, said the event aligns with this year’s Press Week theme: “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy and Society.” She used the occasion to call on journalists to recommit to media excellence, democratic values, and their personal well-being.
“In a time when journalism continuously evolves amid new technologies and societal shifts, our responsibility remains clear: to uphold press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy,” Ike said.
“But we must also remember a healthy journalist is a strong advocate for truth. This outreach recognises that our health is paramount to carrying out this vital mission effectively.”
Ike commended Nizamiye Hospital for sustaining the partnership, noting that the hospital had attended to over 300 journalists during the first outreach earlier this year.
“We sincerely appreciate Nizamiye Hospital’s generosity, expertise, and dedication to supporting the media community,” she added.
Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Nizamiye Hospital, Mohammed Abubakar, advised journalists especially those above 40 to undergo medical check-ups at least twice a year.
“We often find hidden issues hypertension, elevated sugar levels, vision problems that go unnoticed until it’s too late,” he said.
“This is why we have also promised to provide free eye surgeries for those diagnosed with cataracts, and supply reading glasses for those in need.”
He stressed the hospital’s commitment to making the outreach a regular feature beyond the press week, saying the partnership is not a one-time gesture but a continuous collaboration.
The event drew commendations from media leaders. Former NUJ FCT Chairman and Editor at The Authority newspaper, Mr. Malachi Uzendu, described the initiative as “more than humanistic” and “a testament to the value placed on journalists’ lives.”
“Journalists are the most stressed professionals you can find on earth,” Uzendu said.
“What is happening here is wonderful. It speaks to care, compassion, and responsibility.”
Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter, Basset Ita-Ikpang, praised the Ike-led NUJ executive for “bringing healthcare to journalists’ doorstep,” calling it a groundbreaking move in the union’s history.
“It is a common knowledge that journalists rarely make time for health checks,” she said.
“This outreach is a timely reminder that health is indeed wealth.”
As the 2025 Press Week unfolds with discussions on the evolving landscape of journalism, the NUJ FCT Council has set a tone of introspection, responsibility, and care not just for the public the press serves, but for the press itself.
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