Nigerian professor calls for focus on preventive health education to cut medical costs

Professor Olufemi Kalesanwo of Olabisi Onabanjo University has advocated for a fundamental change in Nigeria's healthcare approach, emphasizing preventive health education over reactive medical treatment. Delivering the university's inaugural lecture, titled “Health Education Knowledge and Practice: Pathways to a Healthy Lifestyle,” Kalesanwo highlighted critical deficiencies in the nation's public health system.

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Medical care treats diseases, but health education prevents them.

Kalesanwo, the first alumnus of the Health Education Unit to achieve professorial rank, lamented that despite medical advancements, preventable diseases remain a significant challenge. He attributed this to insufficient health literacy among the populace, asserting that health education is the most effective strategy for disease prevention and health promotion. "Medical care treats diseases, but health education prevents them," he stated.

The professor urged governments at all levels to invest in infrastructure and facilities that support healthy lifestyles. He questioned the current state of public health, asking, "Our government should make facilities available and affordable for people to use. For instance, many of our schools do not have access to water, yet we are talking about hygiene. How can they maintain proper hygiene without water?"

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Our government should make facilities available and affordable for people to use. For instance, many of our schools do not have access to water, yet we are talking about hygiene. How can they maintain proper hygiene without water?

He further explained that effective health education requires more than just acquiring knowledge; it demands practical application. "If you desire a healthy lifestyle, you must become health educated. Health education is a combination of knowledge and practice. If you are knowledgeable but do not practise what you know, you are only health-informed. Everyone of us should aspire to be health educated," Kalesanwo advised.

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If you desire a healthy lifestyle, you must become health educated. Health education is a combination of knowledge and practice. If you are knowledgeable but do not practise what you know, you are only health-informed. Everyone of us should aspire to be health educated.

Speaking to journalists after the lecture, Kalesanwo reiterated his core message: prevention is better than cure. He aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on Nigerians by raising awareness and encouraging proactive health measures. He also expressed concern about the dwindling number of health education professionals in Nigeria, partly due to emigration.

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As health educators, our philosophy is anchored on the saying that prevention is better than cure. We do not want people spending huge amounts on healthcare expenses that could have been avoided. The rationale behind this lecture is to create awareness and encourage people to take preventive actions.