Diabetes in Nigeria: Protecting the Future (2nd Place)

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Hello, it is with utmost pleasure that I write to tell you of my journey so far towards being the number one killer disease on the planet and the good news is that I’m close to achieving this dream of mine. I run in families and can be transferred through genes so you can be sure that when your dad or mum has a piece of me, you are at high risk of having me as well. I become readily available when your body does not produce enough insulin or your body cells are not responding to insulin. And even if I’m not present in your family already, you can be the first in the family to invite me.

All you simply have to do is stick to an only-carbohydrate diet with sugary soft drinks and I’ll be right there smiling and waiting for the right time to strike. For those of you who are obese and do not exercise, we are definitely allies already as you simply make my job easier.

You might make the mistake of underestimating my abilities and take me for granted but be sure that when I strike, you’ll urinate more often, get thirsty, lose weight and the slightest injury to you have will refuse to heal and worsen to the extent  that you might get an amputation.

I attack people all over the world but my favourite domain is in Nigeria because when I strike in some places here, they attribute it to witches in their villages giving me the impetus to spread my wings further.

Well, at this point I know what you are thinking. That I’m unfair right? But please don’t be quick to condemn because I’m not as unfair as those of you who know all about me and haven’t warned your friends and neighbours. This is because the truth is that I’m not as powerful as I sound.  I am almost powerless if you discover me on time by running a test on your blood or urine and then starting treatment with drugs and exercise depending on the type of me you are affected by.

With all these mentioned you can render me totally powerless and lead your normal life. On the contrary, if I’m not discovered early, I can go ahead to affect your eyes, heart, kidney, ears and give you all sorts of ailments that you will find difficult to cope with.

So the next time you act like I do not exist and do not take the necessary precautions, remember that I have a dream of being the number one killer disease and you are simply the next available target!.

Yours indeed,

DIABETES

An Essay Written by Theresa Odoh

DIABETES IN NIGERIA: PROTECTING THE FUTURE

Everybody loves sweet things, especially those that are cold

Chocolates, ice-cream, the young, middle-aged, the old

There was a time ago when very few people knew what it is

Now everyone says if you take too many sugary things, you’ll get diabetes.

It’s a good thing lots of people today (especially the educated) know of its existence

But very few amongst them know of its eerie presence

4% which is about 6 million of our population is the estimated prevalence

And many more of us are ignorantly pre-diabetics

Not knowing that the risk of developing it goes beyond genetics

One might not have a single family member with this chronic disease

But with ignorance and carelessness, you could become the 1st to have it with ease

Knowing what a disease is called doesn’t necessarily mean awareness

It’s the knowledge of its risk factors, and preventive measures to reduce its incidence

Genetics (family history) as a risk factor may not be in your control

But what you eat, regular medical check-ups and how you live as a whole

Can go a long way in preventing its onset and/or complications

When it comes to Diet with fruits and vegetables, you can never go wrong

These also help kids grow healthy and strong

Avoid as much as possible processed foods and those with lots of calories

Yes they are sweet and tasty but will only bring you lots of worries

Have meals with salad or vegetable soups

And fill your kitchen with snacks made of easily accessible fruits

This way, the young will learn to make healthy eating a habit

And they’ll grow into healthy parents conscious of what they eat

The biggest controllable risk factors are Obesity and sedentary Lifestyle

Be close friends with your bathroom scales and hit the gym once in a while

Regular exercises cannot be overrated just as early morning jugs shouldn’t become outdated

Activities like walking, using the stairs, moving around—throughout the day

Aerobic exercises such as swimming, or even dancing

Lifting light weights and Flexibility exercises, like stretching should be encouraged

As these not only lower the risk of diabetes but also relieve stress and strengthens your heart, muscles and bones while improving your blood circulation

Don’t forget that diet is also a huge factor in obesity

This is another reason why you should watch what you eat

The hospitals are not meant for only the sick is what many have not realized

The importance of regular medical check-ups can’t be overemphasized

Make that appointment today

And at least once every year

To remember, pick a date of or around your birthday

So that you will remember when it’s near

Impart these ideas in Nigerian children because they have a right to know

Help them live healthily because it’s also their right to grow

If we can practice most of the tips I have written here then I’m very sure

That we have taken a huge step in PROTECTING THE FUTURE.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA

OUR 2013 WORLD DIABETES DAY WINNER

ABDULQUADRI AKINSANYA

DIABETES IN NIGERIA: PROTECTING THE FUTURE 3RD PLACE

“Diabetes Mellitus is defined as a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic high blood sugar level with disturbances to carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, action or both”¹.

Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than 80 percent of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries. It is predicted to be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide by 2030².

It has been estimated that four out of every hundred Nigerians have diabetes mellitus ³.

Diabetes is common among urban settlers in Nigeria, affecting those within ages of 35-70 years due to obesity, sedentary lifestyles, dietary intake, alcohol, smoking and black race. Sadly, this age group represents economically productive in the country.

The future of Nigeria needs to be protected; we are here today because a previous generation protected their future. Hence we must pass on this privilege. Diabetes can affect Nigeria economically, educationally, socially and psychologically

Diabetic patients are usually faced with complications like blindness, limb amputations, heart conditions and kidney disease. The cost implication for the treatment of the disease is very high and unaffordable among the low income people. The sick are less productive, dependent on relations and tax payers for survival and often experience discrimination.

The school age diabetic patients find it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to their irregularities at school. Therefore, their educational development is in jeopardy.

There is tendency that diabetes will gradually reduce the country’s population if care is not taken.

To protect our future there are three basic suggested stages.

In the primary prevention stage, we aim at increasing the level of awareness of the public on causes and effects of diabetes by educating them on needs for lifestyle modifications, exercise, diet modifications as well as signs and symptoms of diabetes. Government can also regulate products of eateries, outlaw smoking and alcohol to prevent diabetes.

Interestingly, Nigerian Diabetic online community is doing a great job by reaching to all and sundry on this aspect.

At the secondary level, the aim is to promptly diagnose diabetes and treat in pre-clinical stage hereby avoiding complications.

In addition, Government and philanthropists are to be encouraged to offer free treatment to diabetic patients in the country. Government can as well encourage self-screening tests by subsidizing prices of glucometer for that purpose.

The tertiary level involves early treatment of complications to reduce morbidity and mortality, rehabilitation of those affected and creation of support groups to encourage them

In conclusion,

‘Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to come

We have today. Let us begin’.

Mother Theresa

Our future starts from now, what we have in our hands may be worse than world war consequences if we allow it to degenerate. The Nigerian diabetic online community has shown concern to fight diabetes and save lives. Collectively, we are enjoined to unite to fight diabetes together.

ADEDOKUN PHILIP

2ND RUNNER UP

References

1. International Journal of Diabetes in developing countries: Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus

American diabetes association. 2004; 27:5-10

2. World Health Organization. 2012;Diabetes Mellitus control

3. International Diabetes Foundation 2011

The Outreach was collaboration between three Non Governmental Organisations namely: The Nigeria Diabetes Online Community (The NGDOC), Heal the World Foundation Nigeria and Curb Cancer Nigeria. It was conducted at Idi Iroko, Ogun State.

Idi Iroko is a small Community in the outskirt of Ogun State, Yewa South Local Government Area. It forms a border between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Immigration are on both sides of the border to check people passing through the place in order to curb illegal trades. It is about 3 hours drive from Sagamu. The prevailing occupation is trading.

Adequate awareness was conducted in the community about the outreach days before, this reflected in the huge number of people that turned out for the outreach.

A team of volunteers from the 3 organizations arrived at the venue at about 10 am in a bus after a journey which lasted about three hours. A total of about 1500 people were already at the venue awaiting the medical team.

Questionnaires were administered to the people to find out about their knowledge, awareness and attitude to Diabetes and risk assessment. A brief health talk was delivered by one of the medical personnel.

Each participant went through the vital signs stations before they saw the doctors and then screening for diabetes and counselling was carried out.

The outreach lasted for over five hours .The medical outreach eventually ended at about 4pm and the medical team left.

OBSERVATION:

1. The turn out of the people for the free medical outreach was impressing. This shows their responsiveness to Orthodox medicine
2.   Majority of the people that turned out for the outreach were elderly people above 50 years of age
3. The people were eager to learn more about their health. This was displayed by their attentive attitude during the brief health talk

Dammy Opawale

The Nigeria Diabetes Online Community #ngdoc @theNGdoc is a nongovernmental, nonprofit making organization established for the purpose of providing sustainable human health development through online social activities like empowerment, education, connection and support for diabetics, diabetes health care providers and advocates in Nigeria.
Since its official launch on twitter on the 1st of March, its growth has been tremendous with the 1st Nigeria Diabetes discussion #ngdoc taking place on the 10th of March,2013 9pm GMT.
The discussion was centered on Diabetes Awareness in Nigeria – how much is too much” co-hosted by @theNGdoc and @diabeticare aimed at accessing the level of awareness and the adequacy of the information about diabetes circulating among Nigerians.
The discussion had 23 participants with 182 tweets and 34,885 impressions. Full transcript available here
A big thank you to the #doc for the inspiration and motivation to initiate this laudable step in Nigeria.
Join us on @theNGdoc on twitter and NGDOC on facebook to be a part of this great family.