By Chioma Obinna & Rotimi Ojomoyela
Indications emerged weekend that non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes may have become endemic in most communities across the country as doctors in Lagos and Ekiti states raised alarm over increasing cases of the diseases among residents.

This is coming on the heels of a health screening conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, which revealed that majority of the 600 commercial drivers screened for blood alcohol content among others in Ikeja area of the state suffered from hypertension; diabetes and chronic liver diseases.

Hypertension and diabetes are two non-communicable diseases that can impair the quality of life of sufferers and if not treated, can lead to death.

According to the Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, findings from a blood screening exercise conducted in Afao-Ekiti, the country home of Governor Ayodele Fayose showed that non-communicable diseases were on the increase in Ekiti.

The State Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Sunday Omoya, who confirmed the situation explained that the screening conducted on some of the residents to commemorate this year’s Physician’s Week, said the diseases were becoming endemic.

“We held a medical outreach in Afao Ekiti, during which about 200 people had free health screening. We found out that non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes are becoming endemic in Ekiti. This may be due to sedentary lifestyles, seasoned food intakes and alcohol consumption brought about by contact with the western world.”

In a related development, Lagos State Ministry of Health weekend, revealed that majority of the 600 commercial drivers screened for blood alcohol content among others in Ikeja suffered from hypertension; diabetes and chronic liver disease.

Speaking at the programme, a director from the Special Project Unit of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale said data available has shown that most of the accidents in the state are traceable to drivers slumping due to sundry reasons, hence, “the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation decided to address the underlying causes such as diabetes, high blood pressure and bad eye sight.”

On his part, the Human Capacity Development Department Director of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, Mr. Modupe Ore Macaulay, who described the programme as a life- saver for commercial drivers across the state, said the moment a driver is sane the commuters are safe.