Olu Samuel,Lokoja

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHLokoja), Dr Olatunde Alabi, has stressed the need to educate the people to know there diabetes status to prevent avoidable complications.

Alabi stated this on Thursday during a sensitisation and screening campaign on diabetes organised by FTHLokoja in collaboration with Diabetes Association of Nigeria, to mark the 2024 World Diabetes Day (WDD), with the theme: “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”

He noted that, the this year’s theme “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”, emphasized the importance of tackling the challenges faced by individuals, communities, and health systems to access diabetes prevention and management.

Alabi stressed the need for government and relevant stakeholders to raise awareness campaign on early detection , saying ‘prevention is better cure’

The CMD advised the people to come for diabetes screening at least twice a year, and encourage them to engage in regular exercise and proper diet.

Alabi emphasised that learning about diabetes remains the first step toward feeling better and living a longer and healthier life.

According to him, there is no cure for diabetes, but there are ways for one to stay healthy and reduce the risk of complications.

Also speaking, a Consultant Endocrinologist at FTHLokoja, Dr Olorunfemi Adebayo, has urged governments to address the rising issue of fake diabetic drugs in the country.

According to him, the rising issue of fake diabetic drugs is a serious concern that governments need to urgently address as counterfeit products can be detrimental to people’s health, and it’s crucial to take action.

Adebayo noted that the diabetic drugs are very costly especially in the midst of the current inflation and economic hardships, and urged government to subsidize the drugs to enable indigent citizens access it.

The endocrinologist urged the people to come for regular screening for early detection, noting that many people would have diabetes for years before they showed symptoms.

“By the time they are diagnosed, some people already have eye, kidney, blood vessels, gum or nerve damaged, caused by diabetes. which can increase the risk of heart and kidney failure, stroke, foot ulcers, limb amputation, among others.

“The earlier you know you have diabetes, the sooner you can make these important lifestyle changes.

“If you exercise, watch your diet, control your weight and take the prescribed medicine by your doctor, you can make a big difference in reducing or preventing the damage they diabetes can do,” he said

Adebayo noted that the FTHLokoja is targeting to diabetes screening for 150 to 200 people free of charge to commemorate the 2024 WDD, adding that the screening would be carried out from time to time.

He urged people with diabetes to eat lots of fruits and vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli, grain foods, green beans, non-fat diary, regular exercise, among others

The residents who turnout in their large number for the screening exercise, appreciated the management of FTHLokoja for the gesture.

A 75 years old diabetic patient, Mal. Usman Adamu, commended the hospital for the initiative, and appealed to governments to subsidise the drugs for them.