Diabetes: Traders Receive Free Medical Screening

To help traders know their diabetes statusWatershed Hospital Ejigbo, Lagos, recently organised free hypertension and diabetes screening including drugs distribution to traders’ community in Ejigbo, Lagos State.

The screening was in line with hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in order to give back to the society, where it operates to mark the World Diabetes Day.

The Coordinator of Diabetes and Hypertension Education and Life Saving Programme, Pharm. Emmanuel Egbroko said the gesture was to help reduce rising cases of hypertension and diabetes in Nigeria.

However, Egbroko stated that they started the life saving programme in 2013, adding that diabetes can be prevented through disciplined life style.

He said: “Our fore fathers were farmers and they fed on fresh vegetables, which made them free from diabetes. Today, majority of Nigerians do not engage in exercise and eat lot of foods that contain sugar, which could result in developing of diabetes. It is very important that people should learn to engage in exercise at least 30 minutes every day and eat more fruits. Eating of fruits would help to prevent and type one and two diabetes.

One of the beneficiaries Mrs. Rechard Uche, said she participated in the screening because health is very important.

She said: “It is good to come for screening because it would help us know how fit we are whenever we have the opportunity, especially when it is free. My sugar level and blood pressure are very okay so, I am happy for the development. I thank the organisers of the screening, they should keep it up.

I have been in this market for more than three years now, they are the first hospital to organise free medical screening here.”