Diabetics urge FG to subsidise treatment

The Chairman, Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Hameed  Afinowi, has called on the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of drugs and treatment for diabetic patients.

Afinowi, who also raised the alarm over the increasing costs of insulin, glucometer and test stripes in pharmacies, made this call at an event organised by the Rainbow Specialist Hospital and the World Diabetes Federation to mark the World Diabetes Day, with the theme, ‘Eyes on Diabetes’, in Lagos.

Also  speaking at the event, the Strategic Accounts Manager for Diabetes Care, Roche Diabetes Care, Mrs. Folashade Olufemi-Ajayi, urged the Federal Government to make blood glucose screening a routine check  in the nation’s hospitals .

Olufemi-Ajayi noted that routine screening for the blood glucose would ensure early detection and management of the disease.

In her address, the Medical Director, Rainbow Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, noted that diabetes might have reached epidemic proportions in the country as many Nigerians had not been screened for the disease.

Isiavwe advised diabetics not to put on tight shoes or walk barefoot.

According to her, foot and leg injuries are regarded as emergency for diabetics and patients should be taken to  the hospital for proper management.

Isiavwe stated, “Over 1 million amputations caused by diabetes occur worldwide every year. Diabetics have a 15 to 40 per cent higher risk of lower limb amputation than non-diabetic patients and it is usually preceded by a sore on the leg.

“They should check their feet everyday for colour changes, red spots, cuts, swelling, blisters and numbness.”

PUNCH.