Abonyi made the call in an interview on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, the practice of self-medication, which is rampant among Nigerians, is another major contributory factor to the high incidence of diabetes.
Abonyi, also the Head, of the Department of Radiography, University of Lagos College of Medicine, advised Nigerians to stop taking drugs without due consultation and prescription by medical practitioners.
“Citizens should learn to surrender themselves to medical experts in registered hospitals when sick,” he said.
The scientist defined diabetes as a non-communicable disease associated with increased levels of glucose due to an inadequate supply of insulin (known as Type 1 diabetes) or inability to use insulin efficiently (known as Type 2 diabetes).
While stating that diabetes could be hereditary in nature, he identified corruption, greed and lack of regulation as major contributory factors to the disease burden in the country.
According to him, some of the few government agencies responsible for regulatory functions are crippled by corruption, while individuals involved in the production of such substandard products are driven by greed and avarice.
He described those engaging in the production of substandard and fake products as people with no conscience, love and regard for their fellow citizens and the effect the products might have on them.
“No sane nation leaves her citizens to consume all kinds of food and drug products without effective regulation.
“In Nigeria, all kinds of drinks, noodles and food products are in circulation and freely consumed by citizens without proper quality assurance and approval for consumption.
“Aside the hereditary nature of diabetes, self-medication is another factor that is promoting its high incidence.
“An average Nigerian prescribes one type of drug or the other to the next neighbour, colleague or relation who complains of any illness without proper investigation or diagnosis.
“The effect of this attitude applies to even foetus in the uterus, growing children and adults.
“No doubt, this attitude affects major organs of the body which helps the body in carrying out its metabolic functions effectively. These organs begin to fail early in life, which one of the outcomes is diabetes,” he said.
Abonyi stressed the need for strengthening the products, foods and drugs regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant authorities to enable them to deliver on their mandate and responsibilities.
“Diabetes increases with advancing age; this could be because aging is often accompanied by decline in lean body mass and increase in body fat, particularly visceral adiposity, which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance,” he said.
According to the scientist, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide, and it is projected that by 2030, more than 500 million adults will be affected.
“In Nigeria, many people are believed to be living with diabetes and the country’s diabetes prevalence rate is one of the highest in Africa.
“Though the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, the probable causes are genetics and environmental factors (such as exposure to viruses). On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is largely linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices,” he said.
NAN
