The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria North-West in conjunction with Women Hood Foundation has rendered free medical services to over 100 journalists in Kaduna. The services include HIV/AIDS, dental care, blood pressure, malaria test, typhoid test, stress counseling and distribution of treated mosquito nets.

The exercise was conducted on Saturday at the premises of Kaduna NUJ Council Secretariat.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of Women Hood Foundation Hajiya Maryam said: “The idea behind the free exercise, which is the first of its kind for journalists, is because we realised that journalists are the eyes, ears of the society and when you touch their lives is like you touch the lives of the whole nation considering their immense contributions and importance in the society.”

Also speaking, the North-West Coordinator of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, Ibrahim Kabiru, said: “We initiated this excise for only the journalists in the state to make them physically and mentally fit and we will sustained the excise because journalists are partners in progress. We are also happy with the turn out of the journalists and their cooperation as many of them come for the exercise.”

The NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Garba Muhammad, expressed delight for the free exercise and commended the medical practitioners for the gesture.

He appealed to other medical practitioners to emulate the gesture so as to assist in diagnosing more journalists.

Two of the beneficiaries interviewed, Ibrahima Yakubu of Radio Germany and Malam Musa Awwal of LEADERSHIP, thanked the organisers, saying: “We feel happy with this gesture because if journalists are not healthier they will not be able to discharge their social responsibilities as expected.”

•Photo shows Kaduna NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Garba Muhammad.