Checking Diabetes Burden In Nigeria 

Diabetes, a “group of diseases that result in sugar in the blood”, has posed a great challenge to humans over the years. The disease which is classified in “types” thrives on ignorance, superstition and myths in traditional societies, especially the Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.
While modern medical and health sciences have demystified the uncertainties that shroud the disease, many stigmatise victims because they see the disease as a bad omen, so people who die from the disease are not given befitting burial in many traditional societies. This is very unfortunate and should be unheard of, at a time knowledge is increasing like a phoenix.
The crux of the problem is that even in the advent of Orthodox medicine practitioning, the disease seems not  to be given the maximum attention it deserves to nip it in the bud. That is why it seems that the disease is defying medication. Federal, State, Local Government Areas operating tertiary, secondary and primary health services may not have done enough to curb the rising cases of the disease in Nigeria.
The prevalence of the disease not just in Nigeria and Africa but also in Second World countries with growing economies and promising democratic governments is a concern to medical professionals and experts.
Former Chief Medical Director of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, a Professor of Chemical Pathology, Aaron Ojule, has warned against complacency in handling of diabetic situation in Nigeria.
Prof Ojule is also a member of the board of trustees of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), Rivers State.
Prof. Ojule raised alarm last weekend at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) grounds where Diabetes Association of Nigeria members met as part of their monthly activities.
According to him, diabetes is now an epidemic of global proportion and  that it has attacked the economies of many  families.
“The whole idea of the Association is to give diabetes education to people living with diabetes (PLWD) and members of their families so at the end of the day, we would have better diabetes management.
Diabetes has become a global epidemic, he said. “It is not just Nigeria, it is an international problem and that is why we have organisations such as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The World Health Organisation (WHO) is involving itself in tracking this menace, the nations are involved, and everybody is involved.”
This, he said, is because diabetes is such an illness that when once it sets in, it affects every organ in the body and causes a lot of complications. “The economic cost has become unbearable for all economies, worse for families.
“That is why organisations like DAN are there to educate patients and families on how best to manage it and harvest latest research findings on how best to manage it. There is a lot of misinformation and complicated myths about diabetes and we are here to untangle these misinformation networks to bring out clarity for better management of the disease. We need to work with the media and more people to work with us.:
Many people that have come down with diabetes do not have sufficient resources to manage it. The tests, drugs, and proper food are expensive. Average balanced diet now is over N1,000. So, diabetic patients need support.”
He queried: “If people living with HIV get free drugs, what offence have those living with diabetes committed that they can’t get help? We need a lot of support from the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and individuals to fight to restore the health of patients and stop others from going down with it. Diabetes has destroyed the health of many sufferers without adequate care. Many die young because of diabetes.”
His view was supported by the chairman of DAN, Rivers State, Dr Hamilton Opurum, who said major challenge was lack of adequate advocacy to create enough awareness and education. “Most persons need information about diabetic condition; they need to know whether they are at risk, and if they are not, how to keep a healthy lifestyle. If they are, they need to know how to delay the onset of its worst effects. If they are already diabetic, we encourage them to manage themselves properly. This is so because besides going to hospital to get treatment, they need to manage their nutrition properly and keep fit. So, nutrition, exercise, and medical attention are all very important in the management of diabetes.”
The Federal, State and Local Government Areas should deploy resources to address the diabetic menace. Enlightenment and public education is critical to overcome the ravaging trend. People need to be enlightened on dietary culture.
Medical and health care providers should up the purchase of facilities and diabetes-related equipment to check the burden. “Prevention”, they say “is better than cure”. For prevention to be effective, information and education are key. The Government at all levels and other medical and health care providers should use all available media: Social, Electronic  and Print, to drive home the danger inherent in contracting the disease.

Igbiki Benibo