NGO to treat over 15,000 diabetic patient in south west.
By Yunus Yusuf
A Non-Governmental organisation, Lions International, District 404B4 says its ready to provide treatment for no fewer than 15,000 diabetic patient in the south west.
The 404B4 District Governor of the organisation, Mr Taiwo Fatoki made this known in a news conference in Lagos to kick start the diabetes program.
“We all know how deadly diabetes can be, and since we have an ongoing program on Paediatric Cancer, Empowerment, and Hunger Relief program this year, we want to kick start another program for our noble district in form of diabetes, eventhough it’s already ongoing.
“Many people don’t know they are diabetic until the symptoms become deadly.
“To curb this, Lions Clubs International has made it a point of duty every year to organise a blood sugar screening exercise for people in their various communities via our Club levels, to help them ascertain if they are diabetic or not.
“For those that are diabetic, we usually refer them to medical centers, and hospitals. And we hope we will be able to screen not less than 15,000 people, and provide the needed services where it is required,”he said.
He added that Lions Club was to make the diabetes program a major issue, which can be achieved through the Clubs in the district, saying they had over 60 Clubs.
“If every Club services his communities accordingly, we will be rest assured that we have saved so many families from the deadly disease called diabetes
“We know what the economic situation is, and we will not relent. I want to salute our courage for spending our money to serve others to give hope to the less privileged.
“We hope to increase our membership because the more we are, the more service we will be able to provide for our various communities,” he said.
He added that the club had eight major courses they put their efforts into every year which is diabetes, vision and sights.
“Others are hunger and relief, pediatric cancer, environment, disaster relief, humanitarian services, and youth service exchange program,” he said.
He also added that there were plans to empower widows within the South West with grinding machines, alongside N50,000 to start off.
“Our immediate past District Governor through his company, has decided to provide some grinding machines that will be distributed through out the south west to widows.
“They will be supported with the minimum of 50,000 which is a way of providing job for them so that in this economic situation, they will still have the opportunity to provide for their families,”he said.
The immediate past district governor, Mr Samson Abodurin, while speaking with journalists urged every other member to support the governor to achieve the goals at hand.
“His coming with diabetes as our focus this year is sacrosanct to all over 60 Lions Club in our District.
“It is a wonderful focus because we believe feeding the hungry, eye sight and other sicknesses are linked to diabetes, and we know diabetes is a silent killer.
“So I believe his focusing on diabetes will take our district to greater heights, and will definitely have a resounding success in that area,” he said.