The Ondo state chapter of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, on Tuesday, identified late detection of diabetes as responsible for serious health complications.
The chairman of the association in the state, Dr. Adenike Enikuomehin, who stated this in Akure, the state capital, stressed the need for early detection and called for more regular advocacy.
Enikuomehin, who led her team to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, to commemorate this year’s World Diabetes Day with the theme ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,’ highlighted the risk factors associated with diabetes including family history of diabetes, being overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, age, high blood pressure, and a history of gestational diabetes.
While addressing the students, Enikuomehin said the students must take note of what they eat and urged them to regularly engage in active duties to stay healthy, noting that many are not aware of the dangers of late detection of diabetes
She said: “We’re actually catching them young, educating them about diabetes so that it’s not only that they talk to their parents about diabetes.
“Even for them to know about diabetes early in life so that they are the great leaders of tomorrow. They will be able to talk about diabetes, and even if they or their parents have symptoms of diabetes, they will be able to tell.”
She described the sensitisation as a way of catching the students young, ensuring that they grow up conscious of their health.
“After this talk, we are going to screen them to check whether there’s anyone with pre-diabetes or diabetes.
” We are going to do their weight, their height, their BMI, and discuss with them. Anyone that has pre-diabetes or diabetes, or is at risk, we can identify them early so that they can start treatment.”
The principal of Oyemekun Grammar School, Mr Ogunleye Okewo, commended the medical team for the outreach and added that the school has allotted hours weekly for exercise.
“We want to thank and appreciate the medical team that came to the school this morning to sensitize the students and the entire Oyemekun community.
“We have been sensitized on diabetes. We have been told about the types of diabetes, the causes of diabetes, and how to prevent diabetes. So, we really appreciate them for this. This will go a long way in maintaining our health.”
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