NAN-HG-7
Diabetes
Bauchi, Nov.9,2016 (NAN) President, Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), Dr Mohammed Alkali, said the association has concluded plans to offer free diabetes screening to about one million people nationwide this month as part of activities marking the 2016 World Diabetes Day (WDD), celebrated every November 14.
The president gave this indication in Bauchi on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on activities lined-up to celebrate the day.
Alkali, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, said that the beneficiaries would be screened for type 2 diabetes as part of measures to alert those with the ailment but were not aware.
He said the theme for celebration this year is “Eyes on Diabetes,” aimed at highlighting the importance of screening for type 2 diabetes to modify its course and reduce complications.
“This will highlight the feasible and cost-effective solutions available to identify people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and those at risk of developing it in future.
“Up to one million people are targeted to be screened this November,” he said.
He described as alarming, the figure released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicated that there were 415 million diabetic patients globally, and projected to reach 642 million in 2040.
“The statistics further indicate that one in two of the patients is undiagnosed and by the time diagnoses are made, complications have set in.
“There are significant mortalities and morbidities due to the direct complications of the disease and associated complications, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease or lower limb amputations.
“Up to 12 per cent of the current global expenditure on health is on adults with diabetes, just as issues of diabetes among children due to poor nutrition and physical inactivity, may also become a global epidemic with serious outcome.
“Nigeria has the highest burden in Africa, with about five million patients and up to one quarter is undiagnosed,” he stated.
He therefor called on the three tiers of government to take cognizance of the alarming rise in diabetic patients, most of them from poor background, and introduce subsidy for the treatment of the disease.
Alkali also suggested the introduction of a policy of routinely screening all patients for diabetes at point of entry, just like the blood pressure and other vital signs. (NAN)
AE/ASH/ASH