Roche Diabetes Care, in collaboration with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) and ISN Medical, has launched a nationwide mass diabetes screening campaign to promote the early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
This initiative touched the lives of over 6,000 Nigerians, highlighting the critical importance of early detection in preventing diabetes-related complications.
The mass screenings were launched on World Diabetes Day (WDD), November 14, across 73 DAN chapters in Nigeria and 23 hospitals.
The screening primarily took place within hospital premises, and people who received positive diagnoses were referred to general practitioners for further treatment.
The team also carried out diabetes awareness sessions at some of these camps where they educated the public about diabetes and its management.
Recall that International Diabetes Federation (IDF) quoted the number of adults living with diabetes in Nigeria as 3.6 million1.
The growing burden of diabetes complications and deaths, the significant strain on public health systems already under pressure, low instances of blood glucose monitoring, plus the lack of an integrated, Personalised Diabetes Management (iPDM) framework aggravate the issue throughout the country.
With millions of people globally lacking access to diabetes care, the majority of them residing in low-to-middle-income countries, The Guardian gathered that the launch of the collaborative screening campaign was aimed at addressing barriers to awareness, early testing and timely management or treatment.
Speaking on the event, President, Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), Dr Alkali Mohammed said: “In Line with this year’s theme of the WDD released by IDF of “know your risk, know your response”, DAN carried out awareness and screening in 73 DAN chapters and branches as well as 23 hospitals throughout the country.
“Over 6,000 members of the public were screened during the nationwide campaign which is a significant boost to the theme and in line with the proactive care initiative in Nigeria.
“We were supported by our long standing partner, Roche and ISN Medical who have remained committed as we are in increasing access and achieving Universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians.”
Also, Product Manager at Roche Diabetes Care, Tosin Akinsulire, said the collaboration with DAN is not a new venture for Roche Diabetes.
“Given the common vision and aim to address the growing prevalence of diabetes in the country, the two organisations had conducted similar diabetes awareness initiatives at 30 institutions across various communities in the past month.
“Over the past few years, these efforts also involved participation in walks and community engagements to raise awareness about diabetes,” she said.
Akinsulire added: “At Roche we invest in the communities we operate in and we believe that partnership – across the public and private sectors – is the key to improving access to diabetes care for people with diabetes who are at risk.”
“We are honoured to join forces with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria in their drive to help improve access to diabetes care across the country along with our partner ISN Medical. We hope that the people who have been detected with diabetes and pre-diabetes through these camps kick-start their treatment journey and enjoy fulfilling lives with the people they love.”
Director for Consumer Health at ISN , Ify Chioke, added: “The screening partnership will see ISN Medical providing support by supplying Accu-Chek testing equipment, while Roche donates the necessary Accu-Chek blood glucose monitoring products to hospitals and also distributes educational materials, such as screening booklets, educational booklets, and dietary brochures.”
