PHOTO News: SHUDEF in Partnership with Delta State Govt Profers Prevention Pack for Diabetes, Free Blood Test, Others…details 

...SEE REPORT OF THE PROGRAMME ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF  DIABETES/FREE BLOOD SUGAR TEST ORGANIZED BY SUPPORT FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (SHUDEF) HELD AT OGBOWELE COMMUNTIY HALL ON THE 20TH OF JUNE, 2024.

History has it recorded as SHUDEF collaborates with Delta state government in providing better solution to prevention of Diabetes/Blood Sugar menace.

In line with its vision, the Programme was organised which began at exactly 9:00am with an opening speech by Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ogbogo, the Executive Director for Support for Human Development Foundation (SHUDEF) had in attendance partners from Delta State Ministry of Health, National Orientation Agency, Federal Medical Centre & Ibusa General Hospital.

In his speech, Emmanuel Ogbogo highlighted the persisting challenges posed by diabetes to human lives. He described diabetes as a medical condition characterized by high blood sugar due to the body’s inability to make use of the sugar gotten from the food we eat.

He said that the global epidemic rate is alarming, according to him the International Diabetes Federation has warned that by 2040, about ten percent of humanity will be effected by this diabetes. He also quoted that “out of every ten adults in the urban area one has diabetes”. He also stated that every minutes a limb is lost to diabetes and that according to Professor Olufemi Fasamade of the College of Medicine University of Lagos that about seven million of Nigerians are living with it. He highlighted that this figure is grossly underestimated as many people who have diabetes in Nigeria have not come forward to determine their health status. According to Mr. Emmanuel Ogbogo many people who have diabetes do not know they have it because of its silent condition in the body that kills. “If you know you have a medical condition you should be able to live up to its challenges”.

On prevention and control, Mr. Emmanuel Ogobogo stated that the government response  to control of diabetes is still at a zero level unlike the control for HIV/AIDS where the drugs are subsidized, affordable and accessible to the common man. But in the case of diabetes, no one speaks for them and the drugs are very expensive.

Following this, he further stated that for Nigeria to attain a sustainable health care development, all stakeholders both in the Government, Private sector groups, the civil society and well-meaning individuals should come together as partners to achieve a collective impact of sustainable health development.

On the path of the impacts of diabetes, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbogo stated that so many Nigerians who are challenged by the impacts of diabetes are at home without any care and support, why most of the victims are amputated others are visually impaired. He stated that the objectives of Support for Human Development Foundation (SHUDEF) is to advocate for a better living condition for diabetic patients in Nigeria.

Maintaining that this will be enhanced through proper advocacy and partnership with both the Government and private sector groups. He also highlighted that the Support for Human Development Foundation (SHUDEF) has embarked on home based care services to uplift the quality of lives of those living with diabetes.

In her speech, the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Tracy Ikolomi highlighted the dangers of diabetes to human health, she stated that to fight diabetes all hands must be on deck both from the Government and Private sectors to achieve the sustainable goal of reducing the impacts of diabetes. She indicated that she has managed diabetic patient for over 40years and that victims should refrain from bad lifestyles that put one at risk e.g excessive consumption of sugar based products such as sweetenings like minerals, starchy food etc and that they should endeavour to take their drugs as at when due to live a healthy life. She however stressed her sustained commitment in partnering with Support for Human Development Foundation (SHUDEF) as she will take this message to her superiors in the office to seek their consent for partnership.

While the director in charge of communicable diseases from the Delta State Ministry of Health Dr. (Mrs.) Opene RRitain her speech spoke extensively on prevention and control of diabetes by highlighting the various ways one can prevent diabetes and also its control measures. Dr. Opene Rita charged participants to be mindful of their intake and avoid sugary foods and other lifestyles like excessive alcoholism to live a healthy life. She indicated that the rate at which diabetes is spreading is also alarming and that the major way of controlling it is to live healthy life. She also stressed the commitment of Delta State Ministry of Health to partner with Support for Human Development Foundation (SHUDEF) in taking this information round the state.

Also in the team of resource persons is Mr. Odoh, a Dietician from the Federal Medical Centre FMC Asaba, he counseled and educated the participants on how to take their diets and nutrients to remain healthy. Mr. Odoh charged the participants to take their drugs also as at when due and eat more vegetables that will give strength to their health.

While another Dietician from Ibusa General Hospital Gloria Uchunor also counseled participants on types of food, nutrient and ensure healthy lifestyle to prolong their lives.

Lastly, the event was followed by free BP and Blood sugar test on participants to determine their health status by the Medical team.

Attending the programme were different government officials, Media and others;

1. Dr. (Mrs.) Opene Rita (Director Communicable Disease Delta State Ministry of

Health)

2. Mrs. Ikolomi Tracy (Delta State Director of National Orientation Agency NOA).

3. Mr. Emmanuel Chiejine (Delta State Head PRS National Orientation Agency NOA.

4. Mr. Godfrey (Head Special Duties National Orientation Agency NOA.

5. Mr. Odoh (Dietician Federal Medical Centre Asaba).

6. Gloria Uchunor (Dietician Ibusa General Hospital).

7. Other Nurses.

8. Representatives of Bridge Radio

9. Representatives of Perisco Media

10. Representatives of Pointer Newspaper

11. Representatives of Cherry Media