A Consultant Family Physician, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, has called for the strengthening of public knowledge to recognise and manage high and low blood sugar levels among diabetics.
Sodipo, Head, Family Medicine Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), made the call in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.
He made the call in commemoration of World Diabetes Day, celebrated on Nov. 14 every year, to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue.
The day also emphasises collective and individual actions needed to improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
The theme for 2024 World Diabetes Day is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,” underpinning commitment to reducing the risk of diabetes and ensuring that all people diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Sodipo, who is a former Chairman of the Medical Guild, said a person with diabetes might have high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) from time to time.
He noted that many diabetes patients weren’t knowledgeable enough to identify a spike or drop in their blood sugar level after a blood glucose test, landing many of them in medical emergencies.
“Most of them run the tests and document their numbers in a book, which they keep to show their physicians at their next consultation meeting.
“Beyond encouraging diabetes patients and the public to screen their blood glucose, we must educate them on normal blood glucose levels and steps to detect and promptly present to hospital before emergencies,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the expected values for normal fasting blood glucose concentration are between 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L).
It says an individual with low fasting blood glucose concentration (hypoglycemia) – below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) – will experience dizziness, sweating, palpitations, seizures, blurred vision and other symptoms that have to be monitored.
Sodipo stressed that a collaborative approach between healthcare providers, government, private sector and patient support groups would be required to bridge gaps and break barriers in diabetes care.
He appealed to the government to formulate policies to support non-communicable diseases including diabetes, focusing on prevention, diagnosis and management.
According to him, measures should be in place to ensure effective health insurance for citizens to reduce out-of-pocket spending and enhance access to quality healthcare services.
“Health insurance should be strengthened to provide patients with access to regular screening of their eyes to prevent diabetes retinopathy.
“Check their kidneys, their feet, and also support the provision of glucometers for self-monitoring at home,” he said.
He stressed the need for public sensitisation on regular glucose testing, especially for individuals with a family history of diabetes.
The diabetes specialist noted that obesity and poor lifestyle choices were driving a surge in diabetes and hypertension among young people at every level of care.
“Unfortunately, we are also seeing an increasing number of people coming down with complications leading to amputations, blindness, heart and kidney related problems,” he said.
Sodipo noted that diabetes care had evolved over the years with advanced treatment options to assist patients prevent complications; however, the treatments are expensive and not readily accessible in Nigeria.
He appealed to the Federal Government to ensure a responsible pricing mechanism for life-saving medicine, noting that prices of medicines were beyond the reach of many Nigerians,.
Sodipo also called for food security, noting that individuals who experience food insecurity are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“Food is becoming more expensive, especially fruits and vegetables needed for healthy eating. Many people who are food insecure are eating more inexpensive, processed foods, which are high in calories and low in nutrition.
“This can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic disease. Government must quickly address the food crisis to promote healthy eating among citizens,” he said.
To prevent diabetes, Sodipo advised maintaining healthy weight, regular exercise, healthy eating, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking, while embracing regular check-ups.
Similarly, the National President, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Dr Kayode Adesola said living with diabetes requires courage, determination, and a positive attitude.
Adesola noted that diabetes might bring its share of challenges, but following strict medical advice would assist in living a better life.
According to the WHO, the number of people living with diabetes rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022 with prevalence rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.
It said diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths and 47 per cent of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years.
WHO said 530,000 kidney disease deaths were caused by diabetes, and high blood glucose causes around 11 per cent of cardiovascular deaths.
NAN
