NAN-HG-11
Diabetes
By Lucy Osuizigbo
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that the earlier Nigerians go for routine medical check-up, the earlier non-communicable disease such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer will be detected.
Adewole gave the advice in his remarks at the 2016 World Diabetes Day.
The theme of the Day is: “Eyes on Diabetes’’.
The minister said that early detection of such ailments would go a long way in helping to tackle them.
Cue in audio 1 (Adewole)
“Diabetes is one of the NCDs that we have, (Non Communicable Diseases) which also includes hypertension, chronic chest problems, cancers, and so on.
“So, the earlier we do medical check-up, the earlier we report complaints the better.
“We are also saying that nothing stops you routinely; even just checking your urine.
“Even if you pour your urine on the floor, you go back there in an hour time to see if ants are there.
“In fact, that is the simplest test you can do.
“Just a little bit of urine on the floor and come back in one hour, if there are ants there, that is sugar.’’
Cue out audio 1
The minister observed that there are no statistics on the number of Nigerians living with non-communicable diseases.
Adewole said that in 2017 the ministry would prioritise the conduct of a survey aimed at collecting data on the burden of non-communicable diseases in the country.
Cue in audio 2 (Adewole)
“Data is one thing that we want to make our priority in the coming year because with data you can track success.
“You can then allocate resources and measure the impact of your intervention that you are putting in place; so, data is a key issue.
“Because diabetes is not only the NCDs, cancer is NCD, hypertension is NCD; but then, as I have said many of them are really lifestyle issues.
“If you watch your weight and watch what you eat, diabetes can be managed and hypertension can be controlled and so on and so forth.’’
Cue out audio 2
He said diabetes belonged in a group of metabolic diseases emanating from high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time due to inadequate insulin production in the body.
NAN reports that the World Health Organisation in Nov. 1991, created the International Diabetes Federation in response to the growing concerns over the threat posed by diabetes. (NAN)
LCO/ERO/LAB/YEE Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim
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