Lions Club International, LCI, has called attention to what may be a near pandemic status of Diabetes in the country, through a number of its officials who were in Ilorin on Wednesday for its two days LCIF funded diabetes campaign in Central and Southern states of the country.

Through three of its senior officials who were at Balogun Fulani Primary Healthcare Center to supervise the free diabetes screening/testing for members of the public, LCI confirmed to newsmen, the seriousness of national and global statistics on diabetes as it affects Nigeria.

“65 per cent of patients who come to the clinic not only have the condition but also need to be treated for diabetes,” explained Dr Christine Funke Adebajo, project chairman of the campaign.

Explaining further, Dr Adebajo who is a past district governor, LCI, said that 42 per cent, of the country’s population, are currently living with diabetes.

“In terms of demographics, 10 per cent of urban dwellers have it while another 8 per cent of rural dwellers are grappling with the condition,” she added.

Dr Adebajo said that the overall implication of the scenario is that the workforce of the country might be endangered with the prevalence of the ailment.

“Spending money that ought to be put in fruitful ventures like business and education into treating diabetes can cause severe economic problems,” She added.

Past council chairman, Multiple District 404, Nigeria, Lion Abiodun Adediji, said that the same campaign that saw to the end of Polio in Nigeria should be put in place for diabetes if it must be contained in the country.

“Most people go about without being aware that they are living with the condition,” he said. He further said that the advantage of non-governmental organizations like LCI embarking on such a campaign is that it allows for better grassroots penetration.

Adeniji further stated that the campaign has covered other states in central and southern Nigeria like Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Osun, Nasarawa and Benue.

He added that by next year, the campaign will continue with some South-South states like Delta and Akwa Ibom.

But for Kayode Oshinuha, the LCI district governor, 404, B2, the country and Kwara’s designation in the international group, a lot still needs to be done at the policy level by the government on diabetes.

“Health is not given the required attention by the government.

“There is a need to up their game in this matter.

Some of the beneficiaries of the testing and screening campaign at Balogun Fulani said that the program is God sent.

Saka Balogun, secretary to the traditional ruler of Balogun Fulani, said that a lot of people now know their status where the ailment is concerned.

“Now they can better treat themselves know what the problem is,” he said.

The campaign would be held on Wednesday and Thursday in five places in Kwara state.

These are General Hospital, Lafiagi, Primary Healthcare, Balogun Fulani, Cottage Hospital, Balogun Ajikobi, Primary Healthcare, Bode Sadu, and General Hospital, Erin Ile.

TodayNG