Leadership (Abuja)
Winifred Ogbebo
15 November 2008
Abuja — The World Health Organisation, WHO, has disclosed that more than 1.71 million Nigerians above 15 years in the 2000 survey are diabetic.
This was disclosed yesterday at this year's 2008 World Diabetes Day, marked at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The WHO representative, Dr Ola Soyinka, disclosed "each year, 7 million people develop diabetes. In Nigeria, (1990-91) available data shows that 1.05 million Nigerians above 15 years are diabetic and if nothing is done, it is projected that by 2030, this will grow to 484 million.
According to WHO estimates, more than 250 million people world wide are living with diabetes and by 2025, it is expected to increase to over 380 million people.
Also, the acting minister of health, Dr Hassan Muhammed Lawal, disclosed that diabetes is a silent killer and kills one person every 10 seconds.
"It is estimated that 70,000 children under 15 years develop insulin dependent diabetes each year (almost 200 children a day). Currently, an estimated 440,000 children live with insulin dependent diabetes globally."
Lawal who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abdulganiyu Abdulsalami, explained that genetic and environment factors put people at increased risk of insulin dependent diabetes, while children with insulin dependent diabetes are at risk for long-term complications (damage to cardiovascular system, kidneys, eyes, nerves, blood vessels, skins, gums, and teeth.
He, however, said the ministry was committed to the integration of non-communicable diseases into the Primary Health Care Services with a view to enabling the PHC centres continue the prevention and control activities.
The Director, Public Health in the ministry of Health, Dr Abdulsalami Nasidi, said that the objectives of the 2008 World Diabetes Day include among others, raising awareness on the rising prevalence of diabetes in children and adolescents, and calling on all Nigerians to take action, as timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes complications.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Leadership. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
