SJAK Holds Second Wellness Camp to Boost Journalists’ Health

The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has held its second wellness medical camp in Nairobi, reinforcing efforts to promote preventive healthcare among media practitioners.

The initiative, conceived two years ago by SJAK members, seeks to help journalists detect potential health issues early. The association has so far partnered with LifeCare Hospitals and Holistic to deliver the program.

Speaking during the camp, Hezekiah Omondi underscored the importance of the partnership, noting that journalists often operate under intense pressure and tight deadlines.

“Partnering with SJAK is important because journalists work under tight deadlines and high pressure. Giving them access to preventive care helps protect the people who keep the public informed. Healthy journalists mean a stronger media,” he said.

Mary Waweru outlined the screenings conducted during the exercise, including random blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, prostate and breast cancer screening, as well as dental check-ups.

“It’s important to know your wellness status because conditions like blood sugar and blood pressure may not show symptoms. The essence is to seek treatment early,” she noted.

On the wellness front, William Deche said participants also underwent body composition analysis using the InBody machine to better understand weight and lifestyle factors. Holistic further provided psychotherapy services to assess the mental well-being of the journalists.

SJAK reaffirmed its commitment to the initiative, stating that the health of its members remains a priority and that more wellness camps will be rolled out in the future.

The program also received backing from National Olympic Committee of Kenya Deputy President Barnaba Korir, who praised the concept and its impact.

“The camp is a good initiative that we have also adopted for athletes. If it works for athletes, it works for journalists too,” Korir said.