An Abuja-based Pediatrician and Public Health expert, Dr Yashua Alkali Hamza, has asked the federal government to synergise with the private sector for effective healthcare delivery in the country.
Hamza made the appeal during the launch of the Wellness and Holistic Service by the Childcare and Wellness Clinic on Monday in Abuja.
She said many Nigerians have died as a result of poor management of stress, adding that adequate health education and public/private interventions were necessary.
Hamza, who is the Chief Executive Officer at the Childcare and Wellness Clinics, said, “I am a private practitioner. In the private practice, we do the best that we can. I worked with government for a very long time, over 10 years ago. I think all of us needs to join hands together. It’s one country and one people. All of us need to work together to access the best of healthcare facilities.
“Being relaxed and at peace with your mind is essential for every human being. What a lot of people don’t understand is that the majority of our diseases are caused by stress. It is not just hypertension or heart disease but even those ones seemingly caused by microorganisms, autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses.
“This is because stress hampers the ability of our body to keep us in balance. We all have an innate ability in us, an immune system that helps us fight diseases and keep us healthy. When we are stressed this immune system is disrupted. That is why two people can be exposed to the same thing one gets sick and the other doesn’t.
“That person who doesn’t get sick has a very functional immune system. Now, what does stress do? It suppresses this immune system and your body is unable to fight off diseases and keep you healthy. If you are under a lot of stress you overthink and your mind is always busy.”
