By; NICHOLAS DEKERA, Kaduna
As the World marks Diabetes Day, health experts in Nigeria have estimated that the records of Nigerians living with diabetes stands at over six million, representing 5.3 per cent of Nigerians according to meta analysis, while lamenting that the Federal Government has no specific budget for diabetes control.
Speaking during a public lecture at National Eye Centre Kaduna on the Team Access to diabetes care if not now, when,
Dr. Patricia Ella Idoko said World Diabetes Day (WDD) is aimed at promoting yearly long advocacy against diabetes.
According to Idoko, most diabetic origin is generic, however, some are as a result of wrong dieting.
“COVID-19 statistics indicate that diabetes falls into the CoronaVirus high risk group accounting for most of the COVID-19 related deaths,” she added.
Earlier, the representative of the the Chief Medical Diretor of National Eye Centre, Dr. Ubong Akang revealed that, “the National Eye Centre, an apex eye hospital has to play its role since sugar level affects eye surgery and can be picked up much earlier and controlled.
“We are already doing free check up in our labs and all this is to create awarenss.”
Akang warned that eating over polished food aids this non communicable disease, assuring that regular dieting, physical fitness and awarenss helps in management of diabetes.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager for Diabetes, National Eye Centre, Dr Paulinus Unung and another, Dr. Bello Ovossie recommended yearly checkup, stressing that, ” refined diet is actually refined sugar.
“It doesn’t respect the rich or poor, it cut accross all, eating local food rich in fibre helps in management,” They warned.
