Professor Felicia Anumah is Director, Centre for Diabetes Studies, University of Abuja
By Anthony Maliki, Abuja
Over 11 million Nigerians are living with Type 2 diabetes according to a survey conducted in 2018, Professor Felicia Anumah, Director, Centre for Diabetes Studies, University of Abuja said.
She said the figure must have risen astronomically since the prevelance rate is about 5.77% and indices to curtail the rise are still not been checked.
Professor Anumah made the remarks as one of the guests on Friday at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) “Good Morning Nigeria” programme. The topic was “Improving Diabetes care.”
According to her, diabetes in Nigeria is under-reported and about 50% of people in developing countries don’t even know they have diabetes.
Professor Felicia noted that government should assist in the area of diabetes and help in doing more in providing better health insurance for diabetic health.
A dietician on the programme, Sarah Abagai advocated for more traditional and vegetables in meals than processed foods to checkmate diabetes.
A diabetic for 27 years, Dr. Peter Agada said there is lack of education on diabetes saying Nigerians eat too much.
He pointed that cost of managing diabetes is too high and average Nigerians cannot afford the treatment.
Dr. Agada also said many people don’t even exercise and live too much sedimentary lifestyles.
Another guest on the programme, Founder/Coordinator, Diabetes Help and Enlightenment Organisation, Hajiya Aisha Bukar Ali said all hands must be on deck to assist in checking the disease.
She said modern lifestyles is a major contributor to the rise in diabetes in Nigeria.
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