Chioma Umeha

Diabetes is at epidemic proportions across the globe and most people know someone living with this condition. The serious physical and mental health complications associated with all types of diabetes however, are less widely known. Here are things you may not know about diabetes. Personal and social costs of diabetes are enormous If you live with diabetes you will know that it is not just about sugar. Most people associate diabetes with the sweet stuff, but it is far more complicated than that. Many people experience significant impact on their social and emotional wellbeing. There are different types of diabetes and while they have similar impacts on your body, they are very different diseases There are three basic types – type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes). They have similar problems in relation to lack of insulin, but have different causes and management regimes. Type 2 diabetes never turns into type 1 diabetes, but man

Experts have faulted Nigeria’s legal enforcement/regulatory mechanisms, saying it lacks the capacity of protecting the ultimate consumer against counterfeit and pirated goods, as well as obstacle to Africa’s development. Stating this recently at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) SummEx (Summit & Exhibition), the experts linked improved Nigeria’s legal framework with progress in food security and disease control. They stressed that achieving food security and disease control, particularly malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health is critical to Africa’s attainment of the required socio-economic development. The experts further explained that this involve access to drugs that are safe and efficacious, and food that is wholesome and nutritious, but regretted that the country’s poor legal framework is a big setback giving rise to high index of fake and pirated goods. Emphasizing this in his paper titled: “Counterfeiting

Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has commended Guinness Nigeria over its consistent support for the Guinness Eye Centre. The commendation came during a courtesy visit by Guinness Nigeria Plc to LUTH, where the brewing company donated N5 million. Professor Christopher Bode, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, said that he was pleased with Guinness Nigeria’s involvement in sustaining the management of its eye centres for over 50 years, adding that the centre would continue to deliver excellent eye care to patients. He thanked Guinness Nigeria for the timely and auspicious donation to the Centre and expressed his desire for a continued partnership. “The gem that was sown many years ago has grown into a mighty oak that has trained over 100 specialist doctors, many medical students and other sundry healthcare workers. This eye centre is a living testimony to the values that Guinness espouses as a strong Nigerian brand. They have stayed with us over the

• Dedicates it to Nigerian pharmacists Barely one month after he emerged as President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, has added a feather in his cap as he was appointed the Honorary Consul -General of Pakistan in Nigeria. Yakasai’s appointment was contained in a letter signed by President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A statement made available to Newswatch Times, on Monday, said that the letter was presented to him by the Pakistan High Commissioner in Nigeria, retired Lt Gen Agha Umer Farooq, at a well-attended investiture ceremony at Meena event Centre, Nassarawa GRA Kano. Commenting on Yakasai’s new appointment, the Pakistani High commissioner in Nigeria, His Excellency Lt Gen Agha Umer Farooq, (Rtd) commended Nigeria for the cooperation his country has enjoyed in her diplomatic relationship for decades. According to him, Pakistan has enjoyed goodwill from Nigeria through capacity building, energy

• Five of them will enjoy free IVF – Ajayi Fortune smiled on 17 couples who became grand winners of the Fertility Treatment Support Foundation (FTSF) during this year’s edition of the “Little Miracles,” held by FTSF with the support of Nordica Fertility Centre, in Lagos, weekend.   L-R: Clinic Manager, Nordica Fertility Centre, Mrs. Tola Ajayi; winner of the free IVF screening, Mrs. Onwumah; and Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi at the raffle draw which produced 17 winning couples, held at the Civic Centre in Lagos at the weekend. The comfy scene at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos was filled with excitement as the MC announced telephone numbers and names of 17 lucky winners of this year’s contest who will receive free fertility treatment, while five of them are to enjoy free In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in addition. The Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Ajayi Abayomi, said that the e