District governor, Lion’s Club International, Nigeria, Mr Lekan Babalola, who spoke at the World Diabetes Day celebration at Ibadan North West Local Governments, stated that 10,000 people were screened for diabetes in Ota, Abeokuta, Lagos and Ibadan.
According to Babalola, the exercise was to help individuals know their diabetes status and ensure those with the disease seek appropriate treatment.
The district governor said that Lions International had worked on eye care and polio, among other health conditions in the past, adding that its intervention on diabetes was because of its increasing incidence in the community.
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Babalola, who announced the club’s intention of providing free food for 10,000 Nigerians in December and January in the district, said in 2019, the club will also take up the care of diabetes in children.
Mrs Grace Adekoya, an assistant director of nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in her presentation on “The Family and Diabetes” decried the poor care relatives of people with diabetes provide.
Adekoya said relatives of people living with diabetes also stand a higher chance of developing this health condition that runs in families and urged a yearly blood sugar test for every Nigerian, especially after the age of 40 years.
The public health nurse stated that many people only discover they have diabetes after a wound on their leg refuses to heal or they are sick and were rushed to the hospital.
She said it is a myth that diabetics should only eat beans, bean products and dried green plantain flour, adding that diabetics have no special food.
Adekoya, who noted that children can also have diabetes, declared that gestational diabetes can also cause infertility, stillbirth or big babies after delivery in some women.
She stressed the importance of increased physical activities, avoidance of excessive eating, reduction in pot belly, weight control, increased intake of fruits and vegetable as some measures to prevent diabetes.
Earlier, Ibadan North West Local government Chairman, Chief Bosun Ajuwon, urged Nigerians to live healthy to prevent diabetes, adding that even when diabetes occurs, by complying with treatment, its complications will be averted.
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