Six million Nigerians diagnosed with diabetes —Expert

The Chief Executive Officer, Ambibol Diabetes Foundation and Clinic, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Adebola  Adelaiye,  says that six million Nigerians have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Adelaiye said with the figure, the country had the highest population of people living with the disease in Africa.

She said that Nigerians were dying of diabetes due to the ignorance and poor management of it.

According to the United States trained physician, many of the Nigerian patients get to know about their status when it is almost impossible to manage and treat it.

She said, “The International Diabetic Federation estimates that about six million Nigerians have diabetes. It is not a killer disease but it is killing many Nigerians unfortunately.

“This is because a significant population of those who have it do not know they do. I once treated a Nigerian patient in the U.S. who did not know he had high blood sugar. You can control diabetes with the right dietary and medical methods.”

The President of the foundation, Mr. Amos Adelaiye, urged diabetic patients to adopt health management applications that they could enable them to track their blood sugar level.

“Technology is the new face of medicine. Patients should be able to access their laboratory test results and clinical diagnosis through online portals. They should be able to download their diets online. They do not have to go the hospital to get advice. That is where health care in Nigeria should be.”

Adelaiye said one of the goals of the organisation was to collaborate with the government and stakeholders to help indigent patients to access care at an affordable and a convenient method.