Dr. Okoro Sulaiman, a Senior Registrar in Community Medicine and Primary Care at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, has issued a warning to Nigerians, especially young people, against consuming alcohol, energy drinks, and carbonated beverages, stating that they harm vital organs.
He explained that chemicals in these drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol, can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and other essential organs.
Dr. Sulaiman also challenged the misconception that consuming small amounts of alcohol is healthy, emphasizing that no level of alcohol consumption is safe and that complete abstinence is the best approach.
During an event held at Abule Ojere organized by the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Unification Campus Fellowship at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), he advised residents to cut down on salt, fried foods, and sugary beverages. He recommended replacing common red meats like beef with healthier options such as snail, fish, chicken, and goat meat.
He further urged the elderly to incorporate daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, water, and yogurt into their routines for improved health. Additionally, he stressed the importance of adopting a regular exercise regimen, noting that lifestyle changes play a significant role in disease prevention.
“Alcohol itself is actually unhealthy for the system. The chemical content in these things—the alcohol, the caffeine, and some other constituents in these drinks—is unhealthy for the system.
So it’s important that people realize this early, before it damages them. My take is that no level of alcohol is actually healthy. The best is to avoid them totally, and it’s the same for energy drinks.”
However, Dr. Sulaiman expressed concern over poor medication adherence among Nigerians, highlighting that conditions like hypertension and diabetes are not curable but manageable through consistent medication.
In another speech, Dr. Dosunmu Adesegun from the Ogun State Primary Health Care Board stated that diet contributes about 50% to disease management, whereas medication accounts for only 10-15%. He stressed the importance of regular health checkups and early diagnosis.
“Now, the thing about it is what people don’t really tell us is the fact that our diet constitutes about 50% of management of almost any ailment. Now, a lifestyle modification, which includes stress management, exercises, adequate sleep and rest, is about 35-40%.
Our drugs, which many doctors, pharmacists, lay emphasis on, are just 10-15%. So, the way we live our lives, yes, is the key to us living healthy lives.”
He also warned residents against using unlicensed tattoo artists, cautioning that poorly sterilized tools could transmit infections, just like other sharp objects.
Mrs. Mary Gbamigboye, chairperson of Abule-Ijeun Kukute in Abeokuta, appreciated the church and medical team for their efforts, and called on the government to improve roads, provide clean water, and address high rents in student areas.
Earlier, Bakare Adewale, Chairman of the Graduate Forum of the fellowship, explained that the initiative aims to give back to the local community, emphasizing that health is crucial and that this effort is especially needed during current economic hardships.
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