Diabetes is preventable through adoption of healthy lifestyle- Prof. Abayomi
By Abiodun Azi
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Tuesday said Diabetes mellitus could be prevented through adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
Abayomi said this in Lagos at the Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 404, Nigeria free diabetes screening and awareness campaign.
The commissioner, who was represented by Dr Olurotimi Agbolagorite, the Director Disease Control in the ministry noted that healthy lifestyle could prevent complications and death.
“Maintaining normal body weight for adults, engagement in regular aerobic, physical activity and reduction in alcohol consumption could prevent complications and death.
“Consequently, there is need to prevent and manage this disease appropriately as the two will reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease thus protecting our future.
“This can be achieved through proper dissemination of information on the importance of healthy living, the need for regular exercises as well as regular medical examinations.
“There is also need for pregnant women to register for early ante-natal care as this would enhance early detection of diabetes preventing complications in both mother and unborn child.
“Similarly, health workers should undergo refresher training to inform on the new trends in the management of the disease,’’ he said.
The Commissioner said that the state government under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu delights in the wellbeing of its citizenry.
He said that hence the conduct of free health screening for non-communicable diseases as well as equipment of state health facility to perform screening on clients.
Speaking Lion Idowu Anobili, Multiple Council Chairperson elect said that the diabetes screening was a project of Lions International Foundation (LCIF)
Anobili said that the project which was multiple district 404, funded LCIF diabetes screening was to carry out large scale humanitarian service.
She said that part of the focus was to reduce the prevalence of diabetes.
“Today, we have done the flag off in Lagos which will also be carried out in other states across 20 Local Government Areas.’’
Lion Dr Funke Adebajo, Past District Governor and Chairperson, Diabetes awareness Campaign said that we are focusing on different states in central and southern parts of Nigeria.
Adebajo said that Lagos happened to be the first State.
She said that diabetes happens to be one disease that people don’t know much about.
Adebajo said that this disease was such that don’t show signs at the initial stage, so the awareness was very low.
She said that what makes it worse was that an average Nigerian does not go for regular medical check-up.
“From statistics, 65 per cent of patients that gets to the hospital will require treatment.
“10 per cent of urban Nigerians are diabetes and eight per cent of the total population of Nigerians are diabetes,’’ Adebajo said.
Also, Lion Abiodun Adediji, Project Grant Administrator and Chairperson Steering Committee, diabetes screening said that the essence was to create awareness.
Adediji said that the programme was for the people who don’t know they are diabetic.
He said that 250 persons would be screened and tested for the week.
