Apart from the free screening, no fewer than 100 people were screened during the programme to mark diabetes while the club also gave a health talk to the members of the public who were mainly market women and men from Isinkan market in Akure South local government area of Ondo state.
Speaking during the screening exercise, with the theme : Women and Diabetes, Our Right to a Healthy Future”, the former District Governor of district 404 AI, Lion Tokunbo Jegede, said the screening exercises was organised to extend love to members of the public who are diabetic and also to offer useful health tips on how to live with the disease
According to him, diabetes should not be seen as death sentence saying the awareness programme embarked upon by the Lions Club became imperative to educate the uninformed public that the disease can be managed and treated.
He’s said “Lions club is interested in the welfare of the people and most especially their health. We want to assure you that diabetes can be prevented it delayed. If you have diabetes, proper management can make you live a full and healthy life”
Also speaking during the health talk, the Chairman of the day, Lion Ronke Ashaolu, said this year programme was specially designed for women and explained to the women on the need to eat balanced diet to prevent diabetes
Ashaolu listed the symptoms of diabetes to be watched out for, to include, frequent visit to toilet, sweat, and tiredness.
She said “it is a disease shared by young and old, rich and poor and many people do not know they have it until it is very late. This is one of the reasons why Lions Club engaged in a free screening of the disease.
“In recognition of the global world diabetes day, we decided to celebrate the day, we are here to celebrate. We came here to conduct free diabetes tests and to educate you on how to prevent it or manage diabetes.
Holding another health talk, Lion Kofoworola Jegede, advised diabetic patients on the need for appropriate diet, healthy eating, exercise and regular clinic visit.
She said “understand your body system and your sugar level and make sure you attend hospital regularly to have your blood sugar level checked up.
“Eat healthy food, eat food with more protein, and if you’re overweight, make sure you she’d some weight while you must not forget to engage in moderate physical activities like walking.
She also counseled diabetic patients about carbohydrates food but encouraged them to eat more fruits.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Morenikeji Ayobamiwale, commended the Lions Club for their love for the less privileged in the country saying members of the club had touched many lives across the globe.
She said the health talk and the free screening would go a long way to change people’s perception that diabetes is a killer and deadly disease.
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