Hospital moves against diabetes with free screening, mass education

Lagos-based specialised facility on management of diabetes, endocrine and metabolism conditions, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, has begun free screening and mass education to commemorate the 2022 World Diabetes Day (WDD).

In a statement, yesterday, the Medical Director, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, said the strictly weekday exercise, which began on November 14 and holds between 9:00a.m. and 4:00p.m., at the hospital premises in Lekki phase 1, would end November 30.

WDD, which is marked globally by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organisation (WHO), has “Education to protect tomorrow” as its theme for this year’s edition, which held on Monday.

The medical centre noted that the theme resonated with its of providing quality healthcare for Nigerians living with the ailment, while also reinforcing its presence.

The statement reads: “We are, therefore, encouraging everyone, including people living with diabetes and their family members, to seize the opportunity of this exercise to know their status and how to care for people living with the condition.

“It’s also an opportunity for people to know their status, especially in view of findings that one out of every two persons living with diabetes do not know that they have it. Yet, early detection remains crucial in the prevention of deadly complications.”

“Persons with uncontrolled diabetes will develop a wide range of complications linked with the disease, some of which could lead to prolonged hospitalisation, blindness and amputation or death.

“As we mark this year’s World Diabetes Day, we want persons living with the ailment to know that it can be controlled and should not be allowed to result in the numerous complications associated with it.

“The exercise will also serve as an avenue for them to have their feet checked to prevent the growing problem. Not only that, it will provide access to basic information on how to live with the condition and stay healthy all year round.”