On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARDUATH), through its Committee on Special Duty, extended its health outreach program to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS/VIO) in Gwagwalada. Themed “Know Your Health Status,” the outreach emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and lifestyle modification among officers tasked with ensuring road safety and vehicle regulation.
Prioritizing Health for Public Service Officers
The outreach welcomed 64 VIO officials, providing them with a blend of health education, personalized consultations, and free medical screenings. The health talk sessions focused on lifestyle-related diseases—conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity that can silently affect performance and quality of life.
Doctors highlighted simple yet effective tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and the importance of routine check-ups. Officers were reminded that staying healthy is not only crucial for personal well-being but also for the effective discharge of their duties in safeguarding road users.
Free Health Screenings and Consultation
To complement the sensitization, the ARDUATH team provided comprehensive free health checks tailored to the needs of participants. These included:
- Blood Pressure Monitoring – to detect hypertension early
- Blood Sugar Testing – for diabetes awareness and management
- Hepatitis B & C Screening – to help with early diagnosis of viral infections
- Body Mass Index (BMI) Measurement – to assess weight and overall fitness levels
- One-on-One Medical Consultations – offering tailored health advice based on test results
These screenings allowed officers to gain a clearer understanding of their health status, while the consultations gave them personalized guidance on preventive and corrective measures.
Building a Culture of Preventive Healthcare
The initiative underscored ARDUATH’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between medical expertise and community needs. For many of the officers, the outreach provided their first opportunity in months—or even years—to undergo a proper health check. The realization that silent conditions such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar can develop unnoticed resonated strongly with participants, many of whom expressed gratitude for the life-saving opportunity.
Voices from the Participants
The feedback from VIO officials was overwhelmingly positive. Several officers noted that the outreach not only improved their awareness of lifestyle diseases but also inspired them to make healthier choices. Others emphasized how the free screenings helped them discover health concerns they had previously overlooked.
One participant remarked, “This program came at the right time. As officers, we are often busy on the road and neglect our health. Today has reminded us that we need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others.”
A Step Towards a Healthier Workforce
By sensitizing 64 officers of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, ARDUATH strengthened its mission to create healthier, more resilient communities. The outreach built upon earlier successes with the FRSC and Police Headquarters in Gwagwalada, showcasing a sustained commitment to ensuring that key security and service agencies are empowered to “know their health status” and protect their future.
Through such initiatives, ARDUATH continues to highlight the importance of preventive medicine, demonstrating that health is not just the absence of illness but a proactive journey of self-care, awareness, and lifestyle modification.