The Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI) Board of Health, Prof. Adesina Oladokun, has underscored the importance of fruits and vegetables for curing illnesses and maintaining good health.
Oladokun stated this in Ibadan on Thursday at the official opening of the Food and Veggies Palace established by the University Health Services (UHS), also known as Jaja Clinic.
The medical expert stated that many illnesses required only a change of eating and dietary habits for the sufferer to regain good health.
Oladokun maintained that people who ate right were often times not susceptible to illnesses.
The chairman board of the hospital said the University Health Services had concluded plans to conduct extensive medical and food counselling to all staff of the University.
He added that the programme would be taken to faculties and units very soon.
Also, speaking, the Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the project would be most beneficial to members of the university community in particular and the public in general.
He commended the efforts of the Director and the staff of the University Health Services for the initiative and assured them of the support of the university management.
In her remark, Dr Aderonke Ajav, the Director of the UHS, said the establishment of the Fruits and Veggies Palace was to assist members of the university community with access to fruits and vegetables especially, organic products.
She said the desire was in line with specific components of Primary Health Care, which was educating clients on the need for certain products, availability, accessibility and affordability of such products; proper food and nutrition; as well as prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
Ajav enjoined people to make it a goal to get more fruits into every meal and even as snacks because all fruits have a reasonably good purpose.
Ajav said the shop would give fair, pocket-friendly prices for hygienically produced fruits and vegetables.
She urged the gathering to be committed to home gardening and every activity that supports increased use of fruits and vegetables in their diets.
Ajav further said that the specifications on hours of opening, days of counselling, special products for each day, online booking, delivery services, and all other information about the shop will be circulated within the university.
