Majority of the patients (30 out of every 50) who go for treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia suffer from diabetes-related cases.
The Head, Diabetes Unit of the hospital, Dr. Ignatius Ezeani, disclosed this at a free medical outreach for the screening and awareness training in Diabetes and blood pressure management in Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano Local Government Areas of Abia state .
The outreach was sponsored by Senator Theodore Orji in partnership with FMC Umuahia.
The Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, decried the prevalence of diabetes in Abia State, and therefore, called for aggressive sensitisation of the ailment among residents, especially those in the rural communities to slow the casualty rate.
He identified some of the causes of the disease to include hereditary, lifestyle, hypertension, consumption of alcohol, smoking, obesity among others.
Dr. Ezeani, however, noted that “diabetes is not a death sentence”, submitting that with lifestyle adjustment, regular check-up, weight reduction, reduction in caroline intake plus proper management, diabetes patients can live a normal life.
In his speech, Senator Orji said the training was part of his many programmes aimed at improving the health needs of his constituents.
Orji who was represented by Chief Frank Ibe , decried the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among his constituents.
He urged the participants at the event to take advantage of the seminar to acquire the necessary information needed to prevent the ailments.
The former Governor who said his free eye service had provided services to a number of constituents, and promised to do more to improve their living conditions.
Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi, described diabetes as one of the commonest ailments in society and advised people to abstain from the risk factors.
