‘Why Nigerians’ life expectancy is falling’

A medical expert, Dr. Okebaram Chukwudi, has attributed decline in life expectancy level among Nigerians to overreliance on curative medicine as opposed to practice of preventive medicine across board.

Okebaram, who is General Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, stated this in Abuja at the grand finale of the association’s 19th AGM.

According to him, tendency by state actors and the general populace to seek treatment for ailment, rather than preventive techniques is the reason life expectancy is falling.

He, however, said that to increase level of wellness among the populace, both policy makers and citizens must take steps to prevent outbreak of diseases on sustainable basis.

He explained that health and social lifestyle of citizens must be given priority through regular checks by a trained physician, in addition to eating right and exercising. The combination of these, he said, would enhance health and psychological wellness of the individual.

“We believe that preventive medicine is the way to go to stay healthy. It is not enough for people to wait until they are sick before they see a physician.