By Dr. Charles Adedamola Adeogun
In Nigeria, religion is deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Our churches, mosques, and traditional practices provide hope, moral guidance, and a sense of community. Faith offers strength in times of illness, but as a nation, we must recognize that faith should complement, not replace, medical care.
Across the country, countless lives are lost or worsened because people delay seeking proper healthcare, relying solely on prayers, anointed water, or spiritual interventions. While these may offer comfort and spiritual upliftment, they cannot substitute for antibiotics in treating infections, insulin in managing diabetes, or surgery for appendicitis.
God, in His wisdom, has gifted humanity with knowledge and the advancement of medicine. These must be embraced as part of His provision for healing. There are principles in life that remain constant, actions and their results.
Seeking healthcare is not a sign of weak faith; it is an expression of wisdom. A balanced approach is to pray, but also to check your blood pressure; to fast spiritually, but not ignore medical advice when managing ulcers or diabetes; to believe in divine healing, yet still attend scheduled screenings for cancer, child immunizations, and antenatal care.
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Proactivity is key. Nigerians must cultivate habits of regular health checks, healthy diets, exercise, and timely consultations with qualified professionals, along with proper follow-up appointments to monitor progress. Equally, our religious leaders should champion this balance, encouraging members to visit hospitals for early intervention and better outcomes. A society where faith and science work hand in hand will reduce preventable deaths and promote longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
In essence, faith gives us hope, but reason guides our steps. The wisest path is one where prayer strengthens the spirit while medicine preserves the body. That is the balance Nigeria urgently needs.
“Faith should not negate science, and science should not negate faith, they should complement each other, not compete.”