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A US-based Nigerian Medical Doctor Dr. Joseph Takon is set to begin a radio program on healthy living in Nigeria.
Takon, a graduate of Medicine from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife addressing journalists recently in Lagos said the radio program is targeted at meeting the health needs of Nigerians.
According to the physician who also pastors the City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia, USA said the radio program is his way of giving back to the Nigerian society by adding his quota to healthy living in Africa’s most populous nation.
“We all know how important health is and the fact that the health sector in Nigeria is in bad shape,” he said, adding that, “People die to avoidable ailments and so many Nigerians suffer from curable diseases either because the facilities are not there or that they are just not having simple health education.”
Takon, a twin, at the event relayed the role of Mary Slessor in stopping the killing of twins in the eastern part of Nigeria. “I was born a twin in far-away Cameroun. Long before then, Mary Slessor had stopped the killing of twins in the part of the country where I come from (Cross River State). If I were born there then, perhaps I wouldn’t be alive now, so that shows that one person’s passion in saving lives can go a very long way,” he said.
The physician who is also a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) decried the insufficient health education in Nigeria. He stated the need for health education in a largely ignorant society where many are yet to come to terms with vital health issues. “For instance, people need to know the role their lifestyles including eating habits play in their overall wellbeing. For instance, more than 90% of hypertension cases (which affects about 20million Nigerians) are preventable.”
The cleric medical doctor also encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to always look back to contribute to the development of the nation. “The program which will debut on Star FM, Lagos will address several health issues ranging from cancer to diabetes. Others include heart diseases, hypertension, stroke, malaria among other diseases and health conditions and will be disseminated in simple ‘Elementary Four’ language, accessible to all.”
According to Takon, the program commencing soon as a weekly would progress as a daily program to later run on multiple media platforms including the television, print and social media.
In her response, Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, a child’s right and development NGO, Betty Abah applauded Takon’s initiative to rescue the health education sector with his timely radio program.
The journalist and activist said, “It is a welcome way of giving back to the country especially in an area which affects everyone but unfortunately has been paid very little interest by the government.”
Abah however stated her confidence in the success of the initiative. “I have no doubt that this gesture will lead not only to the good health of millions of listeners and ultimately viewers, but also help stem avoidable deaths in the country.”
