Lions Club International screens over 300 Mushin residents for diabetes
No fewer than 300 residents at the Mushin Local Government area of Lagos benefitted from a free health screening by the Lions Club International District 404B4, Nigeria, to commemorate the World Diabetes Day on Thursday.
Speaking at the screening/awareness programme, Mr Debowale Afolayan, the First Vice-Governor of the Lions Club District 404B4, said the alarming increase of diabetes cases being recorded, needed urgent intervention to address the disease.
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood sugar, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidney and other organs.
The World Diabetes day is observed every Nov. 14 globally to create awareness on the growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes,
The theme for 2024 World Diabetes Day is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”,
He said:”The World Health Organisation (WHO) figures on diabetes is scary and what makes this worrisome is that most people don’t know that they have diabetes.
“Also, 70 per cent of people who have diabetes live in low-income countries and coincidentally, Nigeria, is one of these countries and, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the world.
“These data call for urgent need to create awareness on diabetes and ensure Nigerians check their sugar level regularly. And that is why we have organised this programme.”
According to Afolayan, a pharmacist, the main purpose of the non-profit organisation is centred on serving the world in need.
Also, Dr Shola Shodiran, a Medical Consultant, who gave the health talk at the programme, described diabetes as a silent killer.
Shodiran identified unhealthy lifestyle and hereditary as some of the risk factors of diabetes, hence the need for regular check to manage the disease.
He said:” “Close to 70 per cent cases are hereditary due to family history and others.
“There are the once we induce through unhealthy lifestyle.
“This is one of the reasons why we always tell people to watch their blood pressure and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“ If your blood pressure is okay, it will be able to maintain your organs”.
The consultant urged Lagos residents to take advantage of the various diabetes centres in the state for proper care and management.
Also, Mr Clifford Chukwuemeka, the District Coordinator for the diabetes awareness, said the programme was the core project of the district for the year.
Chukwuemeka said that increasing awareness on diabetes would go a long way to inform the public to know their status and ensure proper management of the disease
The programme kicked-off with a health walk and other side attraction to create awareness on the World Diabetes Day.
