The Endocrinologist and Provost, Modibbo Adama University, MAU Medical College Yola, Adamawa state, northeast Nigeria, Prof Adamu Bakari Girei has said that diabetes is not a disease, it is a condition but is worst devastating than malaria and other major deadly diseases.
The Endocrinologist disclosed this at a sensitisation lecture Sunday, organised by the Apical Healthcare Diagnostic Centre established NGO in Yola, marking this year’s World Diabetes Day with the theme: “Access to Diabetes Care – If Not Now, When?” Putting across the timely message for diabetes care.
The theme encourages people to be aware of the diabetes mellitus set of metabolic disorders so that they can benefit from the education on disease and treatment, dietary changes, and exercise, with the goal of keeping both short-term and long-term blood glucose levels within acceptable bounds.
Prof Bakari identified poor and changing lifestyle as the biggest cause of diabetes, which itself, is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.
Increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, irritability and presence of ketones in the urine – a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there is not enough available insulin – are identified as some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes.
The Endocrinologist explained that healthy diet, taking natural fruits and vegetables, engaging in physical activity, avoiding soda, tobacco and processed foods could prevent diabetes.
Making an analogy with hunger, a condition that has no cure but only managed by eating whenever one is hungry and taking water whenever one is thirsty, the Provost said, diabetes is also an incurable condition. It can however be managed and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.
The need to raise awareness about the metabolic disorder and tips on maintaining blood sugar levels are at an all-time high. World Diabetes Day, every year on November 14, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
It is based on this consideration that Apical Healthcare Diagnostic Centre, known for humanitarian service, as a corporate social responsibility, offered a free of charge diabetes awareness, testing and screening.
Located at No.17 Galadima Aminu Way, Opposite State Polytechnic Yola, Apical Healthcare Diagnostic Centre aimed to bridge the diagnostic gaps in Adamawa. Managed by diagnostic consultants, it offers all the diagnostic services in Haematology, Chemical Pathology, Cytology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Molecular Pathology and Radiology.
Dr. Aminu MC Tahir, the lead organiser of the diabetes awareness, testing and screening, said it is in line with the Apical philosophy of community service as a corporate social responsibility to promote wellness and create health awareness, explaining further that the free screening exercise is part of the awareness of diabetes with a view to make people eager to imbibe regular medical checkup.
He noted that a lot of people in the community are not aware that they have diabetes condition. He therefore advised that people should always avail themselves for medical checkup to know their health status and indulge in healthy behavior.
Tahir appreciated and commended the media for extending the awareness without prompting, also as a social responsibility.
The free awareness, testing and screening exercise targeted 50 participants.
Responding on behalf of the participants, comrade Mohammed Ismail, publisher the Fact Check online, commended Prof Bakari for stepping the lecture down to the understanding of the cross sections of the participants; saying that they are better informed and are lucky with the results of screening exercise, most of the participants are far from being at risk of diabetes and that those at risk are clinically advised accordingly.
Ismail commended Apical Diagnostic Centre for utilising their hi-tech diagnostic equipment for the free screening exercise, assuring that they would be ambassadors for extending the awareness of diabetes.
NEON
