Rivers State Television Channel 22

Diabetes Day

                        Title: Diabetes Day

Today is world diabetes day.

It is celebrated on November Fourteenth every year to raise the level of
awareness in the people about the disease.

In this report correspondent Paul Damgbor examines the significance of the
celebration with the theme: “diabetes education and prevention.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when sugar and starch are not properly
absorbed from the blood of human beings.

Increase in the intake of foods with a lot of calories, fatty foods and
lack of adequate exercise are some of the causes of diabetes.

It can be inherited from one’s parents of if the pancreas is not
functioning properly by producing enough insulin, then the individual
could be vulnerable to the disease.

There has been growing cases of diabetes among Nigerians and the global
community which has become a source of worry to medical practitioners and
health policy planners.

The implication is for countries and health institutions to collaborate in
promoting low-cost strategies that alter diet, increase physical
activities and modify lifestyles of individuals.

But does the average Nigerian know what to do to avoid the risk of
acquiring diabetes or how to manage it?

In 2007, the first world day of diabetes was observed after a united
nations resolution was passed to draw global attention to the disease,
years after Federick Banting and his partner, Charles best invented
insulin drug in 1922 for the treatment of diabetic patients.

Cases of diabetes have continued to rise with an estimated world figure of
143 million people with a projection of 220 million people by 2020.

More troubling is the situation where diabetes usually known among people
in their sixties, is now being experienced by children and youths with the
burden of the cost of treatment lasting a life time.

In Nigeria, about 1.5 million people have acquired either of the five
types of diabetes and have become a burden since they are not strong
enough to get involved in rigorous economic activities.

According to experts, prevention and controlling diabetes require
concerted efforts such as improving access to comprehensive healthcare and
promoting health behaviours where people live, work, learn and play.

It can be prevented through more intakes of fruits, regular exercises and
periodic medical check up of one’s blood sugar levels.

With the campaign slogan of ‘act on diabetes now’, there is a rising need
to raise awareness of diabetes and dissemination tool for the prevention
of the disease.

Here in rivers state, the government has instituted several health
progammes with health centres provided in every community where residents
can go to measure their risk status and enjoy an active life.

Some respondents are of the view that campaign against diabetes may not be
achieved if the world day is observed as a one-stop activity without
effective measure put in place by relevant agencies and corporate
organisations to sensitize the public on diabetes prevention.

All hands must be on deck to fight diabetes and make the world a better
place for all.