By Ben Adoga
Statistics have revealed that eight million Nigerians are currently living with the dreaded disease, diabetes.
This disclosure was made yesterday during the celebration of the 2018 World Diabetes Day in the FCT.
According to the statistics, 4.3% of the population of Nigeria are living with diabetes.
Also, the record shows that globally, 425 million adults, making one out of 11 people are suffering from diabetes.
Experts agree that diabetes is “a leading cause of heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation.”
Malam Adamu Bappa, Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat said the FCT Administration was already working towards sensitisation of residents to guide against the disease as well as managing the disease, for those who have already come down with it.
“Our Health and Human Services Secretariat, through the Non – communicable Disease Control Program of Public Health Department has been carrying out sensitisations and screening of staff and the general population on Non communicable diseases and risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, sickle cell disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.”
Bappah cautioned that early detection of the disease is better than allowing it to get to a chronic stage.
Also speaking, Dr. Henry Onyegbutulem, Chief Consultant Physician Specialist Diabetologist, Endocrinologist and Metabolic Medicine said that 6 to 7 % of patients that come to Asokoro District General Hospital suffer from diabetes.
He said regular exercises and weight reduction is useful in the control of diabetes, just like other healthy life style that promote healthy living like not smoking, drinking, limited portion of daily food intake and balanced diet can reduce even genetic diabetes.
