Dayo da-Silva, Ogun

Government at all tiers have been enjoined to build more health centres equipped with modern facilities in every communities of the Country and work on training more medical personnel to combat the menace of diabetes in Nigeria. 

A senior registrar endocrinology, Dr Gbenga Ikuseedun who stated this while speaking with Nigerian Newstrack on this year's world diabetes day, with the theme, “access to diabetes care” said many Nigerians living with the illness are still not diagnosed . 

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose or blood sugar, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. 

What then is diabetes to an average Nigerian and how regularly do people check their blood sugar ?

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While some do not know what diabetes is, many respondents who spoke to Nigerian Newstrack tend to be more concerned with what they would eat to their health. 

A senior registrar endocrinology, Dr Gbenga Ikuseedun says there is the Type 1 diabetes which is lack of insulin and type 2 diabetes brought about by ineffective use of insulin. 

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Dr Ikuseedun said many still do not have access to diabetes care even when they are diagnosed . 

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Dr Ikuseedun who confirmed that having diabetes is not a death sentence, said it can be managed effectively thus the need for government to come up with a sincere health insurance scheme and improve on the welfare and training of health personnel. 

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He advised on having regular medical check up, balanced diet, exercise, sound sleep and quiting bad habits that could pose health challenges.

According to the world health organization, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, while 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.