More Than 5.5% of Nigerians Diabetic, Say Experts ... As Novena University organises free diagnoses, counselling for patients

Nigerians have been encouraged to engage more in physical exercise as a way of curbing the progression of diabetes as the prevalence of the ailment among more than 5.5 percent of the country’s population was quite alarming.

This was the consensus opinion of resource persons from different parts of the world at a three-day Diabetes Awareness Workshop with the theme, "Bringing Research in Diabetes to Global Environment and Systems (BRIDGES)", held at the Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

The workshop was organised by the University in conjunction with the International Diabetes Foundation and Global Medical Research and Development Organisation (GMRDO).

The resource persons and experts on diabetes pointed out that though the need to ensure effective management of diabetes was important, checking its spread would be far more beneficial for Nigeria as a country.

One of the lead presenters at the workshop, Dr. Ezekiel Uba Nwose, of the Charles Sturt University Australia, noted: "Diabetes is one of the major problems in the world that is easily connected with metabolic syndrome that predisposes sufferers to heart diseases.

"It is alarming that 5.5 per cent of Nigerians are suffering from diabetes. So, the people should engage in more physical exercise (and) check what they eat consciously."

As part of the programme, participants at the workshop, including healthcare professionals, public health staff and medical students, organised diabetic patients, drilled them on managing diabetes, especially on lifestyle methods.

It was gathered that the Global Medical Research and Development Organisation has been operating at the Catholic Hospital, Abbi in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Mr. Otovwe Agofure in his presentation, revealed, "We did a study and got a percentage of 25.46 of people having diabetes in Ughelli alone. That is to tell you the degree of prevalence in Nigeria.

"Therefore, we need to create the awareness that diabetes has come to stay with us, some people may not know that they have diabetes until they collapse or have stroke because, it goes with hypertension."

Prof. Ifeoma Ulasi of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, stressed the need for accurate data to be collected, stating that patients must be properly cared for.

The coordinator of the programme, Prof. Eunice Igumbor, who is the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Novena University, said, "The workshop is an intensive programme for diabetes on type of food, lifestyle (and) because, 'Type 2' is prevalent in Nigeria, we are screening people for diabetes; we put them on test and monitor them using the facilities in Novena University." Others, who spoke at the workshop, including Master of Public Health students, emphasised that the prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria is fast becoming pandemic which underscores the need for participants at the workshop to carry out massive awareness campaign on awareness, food options and physical activities.