Chioma Umeha
As part of activities to mark this year’s World
Diabetes Day, Lagos Achievers Lion Club International recently held
diabetes awareness walk so as to
sensitise the populace on the existence of the disease.
The event
which took off from Falomo in Lagos
Island and ended at Obalende, aimed at enlightening the residents
on the reality of diabetes as
well as encourage them to participate in a free diabetes screening
exercise also being offered by the Club this weekend.
Speaking at the event, Regional Chair Lagos
Achievers Lion Club International, Sylvia Effah-Diejomao regretted that many
Nigerians are not health conscious and visit hospitals when their health
condition is in a critical stage.
“Diabetes is an ailment that can be managed for
over two decades if dictated on time, but the problem is that many do not know they are diabetic until when the illness gets to advanced stage
and by then it becomes difficult to
manage.
“There is need for regular medical check-up
because if an ailment is detected early, it can be managed for a long period of
time,” Diejomao added.
Also speaking, Bridget Osakwe linked the increased
cases of diabetes in the country to poor eating habit of some people.
Osakwe on the other hand explained that the harsh
economic situation in the country had also made it difficult for people to eat
balanced diet.
“People no longer eat what they want, but what is
available whether it is a balanced diet or not. So, there is need for
government to ensure food security in the country so that the citizens will not
only eat properly, but also eat a well-balanced meal.”
