— Says late detection, results in serious complications

By Dayo Johnson, Akure.

The Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, has taken advocacy to secondary school students in the state, saying that late detection often results in serious complications.

Chairman of the association in the state, Dr. Adenike Enikuomehin, said that many are not aware of the dangers of late detection of diabetes.

Enikuomehin who led her team to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, to commemorate this year’s World Diabetes Day with the theme ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps, called for early detection.

She stressed the need for regular advocacy, emphasised many are not aware of the dangers of late detection of diabetes.

The chairman listed the risk factors associated with diabetes to include family history of diabetes, being overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, age, high blood pressure, and a history of gestational diabetes.

Enikuomehin, while addressing the student, said it is imperative for the students to take note of what they eat and urged them to regularly engage in active duties to stay healthy.

According to her “We’re actually catching them young, educating them about diabetes so that it’s not only that they talk to their parents about diabetes.

” Even for them to know about diabetes early in life, so that they are the great leaders of tomorrow.

“They will be able to talk about diabetes, and even if they or their parents have symptoms of diabetes, they will be able to tell.”

Enikuomehin described the sensitization as a way of catching the students young, ensuring that they grow up conscious of their health.

She noted that “After this talk, we are going to screen them to check whether there’s anyone with pre-diabetes or diabetes.

“We are going to do their weight, their height, their BMI, and discuss with them. Anyone that has pre-diabetes or diabetes, or is at risk, we can identify them early so that they can start treatment.”

The Principal of Oyemekun Grammar School, Mr. Ogunleye Okewo, commended the medical team for the outreach and added that the school has allotted hours weekly for exercise.

Okewo said ” We want to thank and appreciate the medical team that came to the school this morning to sensitize the students and the entire Oyemekun community.

“We have been sensitized on diabetes. We have been told about the types of diabetes, the causes of diabetes, and how to prevent diabetes.

The Principal appreciated them for this. This will go a long way in maintaining our health.”