Scientific Week: Community Pharmacists Partner With the Nigeria Police to Promote Equitable Access to Health
4 min read
Scientific Week: Community Pharmacists Partner With the Nigeria Police to Promote Equitable Access to Health
………as security expert Femi Aratokun-Ale trains police officers during a master class security programme
🌿 Ruzu Non-Alcoholic Herbal Bitters
Ruzu Non-Alcoholic Herbal Bitters is a natural health supplement specially formulated to:
- ✅ Promote general wellness
- ✅ Detoxify the body
- ✅ Support the treatment of various ailments
Made from a powerful blend of 100% organic and medicinal herbs, Ruzu is completely alcohol-free, making it ideal for:
- 👪 All age groups
- 🌱 Health-conscious individuals
- 🌿 Anyone seeking non-alcoholic herbal remedies
Whether you're looking to boost your vitality, cleanse your system, or support healing the natural way, Ruzu Bitters offers a trusted herbal solution.
By Naomi Onome
The Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) Day of the 2025 PSN Lagos Scientific Week had community pharmacists in collaboration with the Nigeria Police to sensitise officers of the Area ‘M’ command led by the Area Commander, ACP Tokunbo Abaniwonda, on the importance of prioritising their health through regular check-ups, healthy habits, and stress management to serve their community effectively.
The 2-day health event slated for August 25 and 26, 2025, is focused on health awareness, wellness, and the role of pharmacists in the community. The health facilitator for day one of the event noted that regular health check-ups and healthy lifestyle habits (sleep, hydration, exercise, and diet) and managing stress and mental health and monitoring vital signs (blood pressure and blood sugar) are key factors in creating a healthy lifestyle. Focus was laid on health awareness, wellness, and the role of pharmacists in maintaining health.
The health educator said,
“The health event collaboration for health support is set to educate on the importance of following prescriptions correctly as well as incorporate health awareness in the daily routine, visit community pharmacies for simple checkups and learn about medications and supplements.”
“Pharmacists, on the other hand, will readily provide education on diet, exercise, rest, and stress management, and work with medical doctors and healthcare experts to provide referrals.”
“Healthy living, chronic disease care and emergency medicine, keeping a close watch on vital signs like blood pressure and sugar levels. Regular checks can help catch issues before they become serious.”
“High blood pressure, diabetes, poor sleep, chronic insomnia, and constant stress and fatigue are common issues in the military due to the nature of their jobs. People may skip meals, eat unhealthily, and have long walking hours, which can lead to backaches and joint pain.”
“Early detection is key to preventing health issues, such as constant headaches, unusual fatigue, and poor posture. It is crucial to recognise and address these issues early to prevent further complications.”
“People should be more focused on maintaining good health and avoiding unnecessary stress; individuals can better support themselves and others in their communities.”
The health educator conclusively shared tips on managing stress, including deep breathing exercises, and encouraged officers to prioritise their health for their own well-being and to serve their community effectively.
Some key quotes and notes include that:
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It is part of your job; your commitment to health is a promise to your family, your fellow officers, and the people you serve. When police and pharmacists join hands, a front line that safeguards the public is created.
The presentation concluded with questions from officers and gratitude and appreciation for the collaboration between the police and pharmacists as done by CSP Nwoko Jude (O/C Patrol and Guide Area M). Moreover, the ACPN Lagos representatives donated free medical kits, including a first aid box and a BP machine, to the Area M command for medical checkups. They also distributed free health care products as well as conducted free medical checkups for participating officers of the command.
Meanwhile, the 2-day health event for police officers as organised by the ACP Tokunbo Abaniwonda of the Area M Command concluded with a health walk on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Extra
Exploring community policing and security issues in Nigeria
Security expert Femi Aratokun-Ale, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, also enlightened the officers of the ‘Area M’ command on community policing, state policing, and security issues in Nigeria and explored ways to reduce crime and improve security during a Master Class Security Training Programme.
The highlight of the programme focused on community policing and its potential to reduce crime. Some potential benefits of community policing include building trust between law enforcement and the community, improving communication, and increasing cooperation.
The role of police in leadership and the challenges they face were also discussed.
About The Author
