By: Ike Philip Abiagom
The Light Diabetes Organisation, an organization with a focus on the management of diabetes and other endocrine and metabolism conditions,took the sensitization and free screening campaign on diabetes in Ibusa town and its environs for public education.
Speaking at an event to mark the occasion in Ibusa community of Delta State, recently, Executive Director/Co-Founder of The Light Diabetes Organisation, Princess (Mrs) Tonia Nkem Akindele(nee Eluemelu), emphasised constant grassroots and community engagements for effective awareness efforts, stating that many have died of the disease due to ignorance.
The event gathered market women, community leaders, religious leaders, students and artisans, among others who were enlightened on the ailment, including the care, prevention, care and allergies. There was also a walk around Ibusa environs and market to intensify awareness in the community.
On the theme of the day, ‘Access to Diabetes Care’, Akindele lamented Nigeria’s lackadaisical attitude to health, as further triggered by poor awareness and insensitivity of the national government. She encouraged the government, Corporates organisations and individuals to partner and extend financial support to The Light Diabetes Organisation, WEMA BANK , ACCOUNT NUMBER : 0126284089 to be able to reach out to as many as possible and ease access to healthcare early enough to avert emergencies.
“I am happy with the turnout of people. So far over 570 persons have responded to the screening and by the end of the day we should cover a sizeable population of the Ibusa community.”
Mrs. Akindele noted that hypertension and diabetes, which are caused by blood pressure and high sugar level, are considered major health problems and early detection will help prevent further complications. “We initiated this program because many people come to us without being aware that their blood pressure is dangerously high.”
She described some of the causes of hypertension and diabetes as stress, lack of exercise, and poor food habit, affecting adults mostly after the ages of 30 or 40. “At this time of the semester, everyone is stressed. We seized this opportunity to easily identify people with these health problems and offer advice in dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes or medication for people who are already in the danger zone.”
The Founder advised the people to come for diabetes screening at least twice a year and encouraged them to engage in regular exercise and proper diet.
“If you exercise, watch your diet, control your weight and take the prescribed medicine by your doctor, you can make a big difference in reducing or preventing the damage diabetes can do,”she said.
Akindele said that It’s also opportunity for people to know their status, especially given findings that 1 out of every 2 persons living with diabetes do not know they have it. Yet, early detection of diabetes remains crucial in the prevention of deadly complications,” the statement read in parts. It further noted that persons with uncontrolled diabetes would develop a wide range of complications linked with the disease, some of which could lead to lengthy hospital stays,blindness,foot amputation or death.
She urged the people to take the advantage of this free screening by The Light Diabetes Organisation, noting that many people would have diabetes for years before they showed symptoms and by the time they are diagnosed, some people already have eye, kidney, blood vessels, gum or nerve damage caused by diabetes. which can increase the risk of heart and kidney failure, stroke, foot ulcers, and limb amputation, among others.
Also speaking, Mama Okolie Pat who benefited from the free screening, thanked The Light Diabetes Organisation for choosing Ibusa for the outreach. She said the intervention would go a long way to help the people know their status and better manage their health. He advised the people of Ibusa to take advantage of the opportunity to get tested and receive free treatment .
A 75-year-old diabetic patient, Mrs Ada Nwankwo commended The Light Diabetes Organisation for the initiative and appealed to governments to subsidize the drugs for them. The residents who turned out in large numbers for the screening exercise appreciated the management of The Light Diabetes Organisation for the gesture.