By Seyifunmi Odunuga
As the world marked Diabetes day, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has called on Nigerians irrespective of their age to prioritise constant examination of their body system to avoid untimely death.
The CMD who was represented by the chief medical advisory committee (CMAC) Dr Abiodun Adeoye made this known during the world diabetes day marked by the Department of Paediatrics, UCH, Ibadan.
While speaking with journalists after the awareness walk around the city to sensitise the public about the danger of having excess sugar in the body, Prof . Jesse hinted that diabetes is not a death sentence and that research has shown that the disease is not only found in adults but also common among the children.
He however advised the children who have been diagnosed with the disease and are currently being treated in UCH to comply with the instructions of their doctors so as to keep fit at all times.
“You have walked around the city which means you must have burnt out some level of calories that will reduce the excess sugar in your body. I want you to comply with your doctor’s advice so as to keep fit all the time”
The CMD however pledges that the hospital will continue to give more support to the department so that more children with the ailment will be taken care of.
In her remarks the custodian and organiser of the annual event, Dr Oluwakemi Ashubu stated that the public should be familiar with their wards so that any form of changes can be noticed on time for immediate medical attention.
“It is an autoimmune disease when some cells of the body are fighting the cells of the pancreas and when these cells are destroyed they will not be able to produce the required insulin to take up the glucose in the blood and deliver it to the cells in the body so they can perform their own functions well; insulin is very essential in the body”.
“When you see a child that suddenly begins to bed wet, loses weight despite eating a lot, or becomes hungry immediately after meals or drinking water more than necessary, parents need to observe and take the child for proper medical examination”
She said no permanent cure has been found for the disease hence the need to comply with medical instructions to avoid complications.
Dr Ashubu hinted that the disease is a metabolic disorder in the body system. Insulin is not available to deliver glucose to different cells of the body. The disease may or may not be inherited.
The event also had in attendance, public health nurses, dieticians, medical social workers and paediatricians. November 14 of every year is set aside as world diabetes day.
