As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2022 World Diabetes Day (WDD) on November 14, a non-governmental organization, Diabetes Control Media Advocacy Initiative (DICOMAI) has urged Nigerians to learn more about diabetes  and its avoidable risks to reduce increasing burden of the disease and  unnecessary deaths in the country.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe and Executive Director, Sam Eferaro, DICOMAI said awareness about the disease remains a key factor in saving the lives of several people walking around in every part of the country who are  oblivious of the fact that they have the disease and those already diagnosed who do not know how to manage or control it.

Referring to the theme of this year’s edition of WDD: “Education to protect tomorrow” DICOMAI disclosed that the aim of the campaign is to focus

on the need for better access to quality diabetic education both for healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes.

The statement further urged Nigerians to be aware that factors such as a family history of diabetes, overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, increasing age, high blood pressure, poor nutrition during pregnancy, impaired glucose tolerance and history of gestational diabetes have been closely associated with type 2 diabetes, the commonest diabetes type and advised families to recognize their presence so as to prevent the condition and its deadly consequences.

“It’s another period of the year when the world focuses attention on diabetes, a disease that affects about 537 million adults and 1.1 million children worldwide – including  more than  five million Nigerian adults. Every year, diabetes reportedly kills about 4 million people worldwide and is associated with serious consequences such as stroke, blindness, limb amputation, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

“DICOMAI aligns itself with the objective of the theme for this year  and hereby calls on all Nigerians to be actively involved in commemorating the event and sieze every opportunity to learn about diabetes, it’s dangerous consequences and how to prevent it.

“It is important to note that diabetes is on the increase globally, and one in 10 adults currently live with it. According to WHO, almost half of about 537 million people living with it worldwide do not know they have it thus, it is estimated that 1 in 2 people currently living with diabetes is undiagnosed.”

The statement further informed that Diabetes remains one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century, largely because of its severe and deadly consequences.

“This is a disease that affects virtually all organs of the body, resulting in loss of vision, dental problem, kidney  failure, cardiovascular disease,  lower limb amputation, sexual dysfunction,  among others,  when not properly controlled  –  sadly a situation faced by Nigerians living with diabetes today.

“Yet, many cases of type 2 diabetes, the commonest type, can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Also, a good control by affected individuals can prevent the deadly consequences of the condition.

“It is in the light of this that DICOMAI urges members of the public to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and also find out if they are at risk of the disease.

“Also, people living with diabetes need the support of their family to cope with the financial and emotional pressure that accompanies a diabetes diagnosis. There’s a great need to embrace a healthy diet, increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight, all of which can be easily achieved when every member of the family is involved.”

The organizations also observed that awareness about diabetes remains too low in the country, saying this is responsible for the detection of a large number of cases only when complications have set in.

“There’s a great need for everyone to recognize some signs of diabetes so that appropriate action could be taken towards early management, to prevent complications. Such signs include: Feeling more thirsty than usual; frequent urination; loss of weight; feeling tired and weak; feeling irritable or having other mood changes; having blurry vision; sores that won’t heal; developing infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections, among others.”

DICOMAI therefore called on governments, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to intensify their efforts in providing adequate information to assist the public in recognizing the signs and symptoms of the condition and the available preventing options.