From Jibrin Zaria
About five million people are living and suffering from diabetes mellitus across Nigeria.
A consultant from Ahmadu Bello university teaching hospital Zaria, Professor Fatima Bello disclosed this while speaking to newsmen to mark world diabetes day in Zaria.
Professor Fatima Bello explained that “one in every ten Nigerian is living with diabetes”.
The consultant stressed the need for the three tiers of government to declare free medical treatment for diabetic patients.
She said the medical treatment of diabetes is very expensive which poor patients are facing challenges of medication.
Professor Fatima Bello charged diabetic patients to imbibe the habit of conducting medical check up after every six months to know their health status .
she called on diabetic patients to eat healthy food ,get more physical activities and lose excess weight to reduce hardship.
In an interview the secretary diabetics association of Nigeria Kaduna state chapter Malam Sani Hassan urged government to give out free medical treatment to diabetic patients like HIV aid and tuberclosis patients.
Malam Sani advised diabetic patients to accept changes in their bodies and follow medical advice.
Some diabetic patients narrated how they are battling with their ailment and challenges they encounter.
The theme of this year’s world diabetes day commemoration is “Access to diabetic care” .
