DiabetesNigeria

UN SUMMIT: VIEWS FROM THE DIABETES COMMUNITY

2011-10-18T06:58:00.001-07:00

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UN SUMMIT: VIEWS FROM THE DIABETES COMMUNITY

The most positive message that came out of the UN summit was a commitment to ensure access to medicine for all. Other positive message includes the fact that Diabetes epidemic is being recognized. It is alarming to know that the current population of persons living with diabetes is 366million far from the previous figure of 285million as revealed by the President of International Diabetes Federation Professor Mbaya.

This figure is far above the population of many countries put together and a quarter of this figure are undiagnosed. It is important that world leaders set up a special fund to fight this epidemic globally. It is sad to note that insulin a basic requirement for persons living with type 1 diabetes which is over 100 years of discovery is hadly available or affordable especially to those living in sub-saharan Africa.

Many African leaders pay lip service approach to the fight against diabetes. Persons living with diabetes find it difficult to acquire a glucose meter, a necessity for any person with diabetes.

The Ministries of health needs to revigorate their NCD departments, paying full attention to the challenges of Diabetes to reduce these prevalence rate of diabetes by 2015.

Isaac Akogu

Conversation Map Expert Trainer

Abuja, Nigeria.

Diabetes Education in Middle-age Schools

2010-12-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

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Diabetes Education is a recent phenomenon which is an ingredient for Diabetes prevention strategies. The relevance of Diabetes Education cannot be by any means overemphasized. It is relevant to health care professionals, persons living with diabetes, relations of persons with diabetes and those at risk of developing diabetes.
Majority of the damages posed by diabetes is fueled by ignorance which can be effectively cured with education. Schools are environment for learning both moral and academic. It is the environment where peers are much influenced. This is the breeding ground for poor hygiene and eating habits and lifestyle that are on a long run injurious to the body wellbeing. This is the avenue where most smokers where given birth to!
Introducing diabetes education to school curricula is indeed a necessity to help address some of these ills at infancy. Diabetes Education does not involve diabetes matters alone but useful information on how best to enjoy a healthy life style.
Seasoned expert trainers should be sponsored to carry out trainers training to enable reach out to majority of persons living with diabetes presently and to help fight the damage ignorance is posing to those already with diabetes and those at risk of diabetes.
Diabetes education in middle age schools will automatically assist the school in meal planning; there will be appropriate regulation of beverage and fast foods vendors in around school environment and general consciousness on healthy living techniques.

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2010-09-23T08:48:00.001-07:00

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2010-09-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

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"Malnutrition Diabetes"

2010-09-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

This is a form of Diabetes that strikes those with poor Nutrition. Dr Meredith Hawkins, a Professor of Medicine and Director of Global Diabetes Initiative at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University will be throwing Light on these Phenomenon as he gives a testimony to the US Congress come September, 27th 2010.

Elsewhere in South Africa in come 30th to 1st October 2010, leadership forum on diabetes will be holding a conference to strategize towards the forth coming UN summit on Non communicable diseases .All these points to the fact that diabetes if left unchecked will surprise the whole world particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide at a rate that eclipses most other diseases. The WHO estimates that by the year 2030, more than 366 million people will be suffering from diabetes, a figure which outnumbers the total number of persons living with HIV/Aids. Majority of this figure will be from Sub-Saharan Africa with an estimate of about 298 million.

With concerted effort of the global community and individuals like you and I we can reverse this figure by the year 2030.

This is a clarion call on Heads of Governments, Legislatures , parliaments across the world to start discussing the impact of diabetes and other non communicable diseases on the global community.

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2010-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

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What impact has climate change had on me, my family or community.

2010-09-04T13:25:00.003-07:00

The impact Climate change has brought to me, as a Nigerian in the continent of Africa is so much. With Climate change has come an increase in health problems such as malaria, meningitis and dengue fever. Our lands have warmed more than enough for mosquitoes to breed on. Every now and then, the strength of my immunity is brought to question by the vociferous attacks I receive from mosquitoes. A major chunk of the money I should have put into my academic pursuit I have spent trying to cater for my health care needs.

On any continent crop failure means trouble but in ours Africa, it is a catastrophe. I cannot do so much as regards growing some crop products I desire to have. My little farmland has come under the onslaught of drought, floods and other weather hazards associated with climate change. When I expect rain to fall, it does not and when I do not expect it to ,it falls and even turns to a flood, destroying my crops. I have to buy these materials from the market and some of these materials come to the market infected carrying diverse micro-organisms due to poor storage brought about by Climate change.

Climate change …..bad news!

My community is not left out. We depend so much on Livestock, which demand plentiful water and easy-to-reach areas in which to graze. When water gets scarce, they are turned to objects of pity. Oftentimes we are forced to move our herds southwards to relatively wetter areas which of course are occupied by other people from different communities thus precipitating intergroup conflicts. We have lost many of our brothers, cattle, property as a result of these conflicts. So much money has been lost. It is saddening. The aftermath in most cases is bitterness, depression, anger and many other vices that have led many into armed robbery, heartbreaks, suicide and a high rate of adult mortality. Our workforce has greatly been depleted. Climate change has done little or no good to the little progress we have achieved so far in terms of development. The few resources that we would have channeled into essential projects to further economic development have been diverted into settling these disputes, ensuring peace in crisis-ridden, war torn communities like ours.

Many have been rendered poor by these changes in climate; migration to the urban areas has heightened too leaving our rural areas vulnerable to desertification, erosion etc. On the other hand our urban areas have become overpopulated giving rise to issues of social concern namely: increase in the spread of air borne diseases, crimes, decline in food sources, wild game etc.

We need financial aid to enable us cope with the impact of these changes in climate. However the stark reality is that no amount of money is going to stop climate change from having an impact on me, my family, my community and Africa as a whole.

www.facebook/isaacakogu

BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY A DYNAMIC APPROACH TO DESERTIFICATION CHALLENGE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.

2010-09-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

The evidence of climate change is glaring as the days go by. In Northern Nigeria, continually the environment is loosing grounds to desert encroachment. People living in these environment continually get their source of fuel for energy from wood.

The charcoal from wood is a big business in these part of Nigeria. However, people seems to forget that the wood emanates from the trees in the forest. Despite certain regulations concerning the use of woods, the activities of illegal loggers cannot be entirely supervised or curtailed.

The greatest hindrance to the observance of these regulations is the absence of alternative source of fuel as the use of kerosene is quite expensive for rural dwellers and availability is a problem in some area.

The Chinese has long identified the importance of biogas towards meeting the energy needs in rural areas. Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic production of biogas does not produce any offensive smell hence it is environmentally friendly, reduces green house effect, greatly increases the fertilizer value of manure and protects water source.

Biogas is generated by the activity of anaerobic bacteria. It is composed of 60% methane, 40% carbondioxide and small amount of hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen and hydrogen.

Biogas can be used for cooking, heating, generating electricity and running a vehicle.

The wonders and opportunities associated with biogas appears to be the best alternative along with solar options towards addressing the effect of desertification activities of people in rural area of Northern Nigeria.

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9th Continuing Professional Development Series "Diabetes Asia 2010"

2010-08-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

9th Continuing Professional Development Series "Diabetes Asia 2010"

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SCHEME AND DIABETES CARE

2010-08-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

The management of Diabetes is quite expensive especially in the developing World. It is more expensive if not managed hence there is no limit to the cost until the final knock of death. The hope however is that early actions in terms of management and care always bring about notable change in outcome measures in a diabetic well being. Ideally, resources should be made available to ensure that people diagnosed with diabetes carry out blood glucose self monitoring, receive appropriate meters, strips and education free of charge. Unfortunately at this stage, such a goal is unrealistic in many Countries even though possible due to competing priorities for very limited health budgets particularly in the context of the HIV/AIDs and TB epidemics sweeping across Sub Saharan Africa.

Through public private partnership scheme, the following can be achieved:

- Provision of free glucometers and test strips and drugs for Children and Pregnant women with diabetes this will aid the fight against the upsurge in Child Maternal Mortality rate.

- Arrangement can be made with Manufacturers whereby the meters are provided free to the patient while the test strips are paid for at subsidized rate.

- In areas or institutions where meters are available, information on the importance of blood glucose self monitoring needs to be explained in a culturally appropriate manner using local languages that people can understand.

- The media should foster dialogue and initiate discuss among stake holders, interest groups and policy makers towards engineering change to best practices.

Diabetes Unawareness and Action in Subsaharan Africa Who is the Catalyst for Change?

2010-08-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

The United Nations in December, 2006 came up with Resolution 61/225 which resulted in officially and globally recognizing the need for concern towards Diabetes Awareness, improved care and search for possible cure. November, 14th was recognized as World Diabetes Day. The International Diabetes Federation has been a champion of this campaign since 1991.

Some developed Countries have realized the danger posed by non communicable disease like Diabetes among others. However, the challenge is still much considering the attitude and approach many developing Countries especially those in Subsaharan Africa have towards Diabetes mellitus. Many of these Countries do not have a National Clinical Guideline for Management of Diabetes hence the order of the day is no standardization of practice. The gross effect is poor glycemic control, increase prevalence of avoidable or preventable complications, spread of wrong or harmful methodologies of care.

Government in developing countries struggle to deal with many pressing health and social issues. Diabetes Care is expensive, and funding must compete with programme such as those striving to control infectious diseases – which can often save more lives on a cheaper per- capital basis.

Government provision of Insulin and other accessories at lower cost contribute not only to the well being of a portion of her population but also prevent expensive disabling and life threatening complications.

Some of the reasons for disparity in the standard of care in sub-Saharan Africa in contrast to developed Countries includes:

1. Government of majority of the developing Countries do not regard diabetes as a priority and therefore allocate little or nothing at all in terms of resources for diabetes care.

2. In many of these Countries all outpatient costs including medications and monitoring equipments are the responsibility of individual persons living with diabetes or their families.

3. The media is yet to recognize the socio-economic burden of Diabetes and other non communicable disease like cancer. This is a challenge that the media should champion and not political issues alone as Diabetes is presently causing more amputation than landmines. All media organizations need to create awareness about this public health concern from time to time because majority of the people living with type 2 Diabetes could have been prevented if appropriately cure of their ignorance by education on lifestyle modification.

As the situation is, the problem seem to be increasing, no body accepting full responsibility but those who are directly or indirectly affected by Diabetes feels the brunch each second, minute, hour , days and years. Let us arise from our comfort zones and speak out towards Diabetes awareness, Diabetes aid for less privilege ones especially widows and orphans. The Government on its part should wake up to its responsibility, one wonders, a careful observation will show that majority of persons in places of authority that can influence appropriate policy towards these cause seem not to show interest or concern.

Come November 14th 2010, I want to challenge all to speak to someone about Diabetes mellitus, learn more about Diabetes and be physically active.

Diabetes in Children

2010-05-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

This happens to be strange to many persons as diabetes is considered a disease of the aged. There are many children today developing type 2 diabetes whoever, it is difficult to know on time because there are no large scale screening programmes by government or private organizations to identify these persons. Non governmental organizations and government are called upon to these challenge to do something now to save the future generations from this diabetes epidemic.

Diabetes Conversation Map updates

2010-01-28T02:05:00.000-08:00

The revolution introduced into Diabetes Education with the inovation by Healthy Interactions USA is no doubt a welcome development. My patients at Diabetes Screening and Care Foundation Jos, Nigeria are benefiting greatly from the training on The Diabetes Conversion Map. It is our hope and prayer that patients and professionals from other parts of Nigeria will benefit from this new inovation.

Benefits of The Conversation Map To a Person Living with Diabetes

2009-12-20T03:09:00.000-08:00

The Conversation Map is a new Diabetes Education Tool designed by Healthy Interactions USA for International Diabetes Federation(IDF) sponsored by Eli Lilly. This tool is a revolution in the way Diabetes Education had been earlier handled by Diabetes Educators. I was priviledge to participate in a Training organized by IDF in South Africa. It was a Train the Trainer Workshop on the Conversation Map. I have commenced using it in my country, Nigeria. Being the only Expert Trainer for now, I am networking with some colleagues to avail themselves and their communities benefit from the Training. Patients are however benefitting from it right away at my centre : Diabetes Screening and Care Foundation, 9B Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos, Nigeria.
Watch for some pics on Conversation Map sessions in my blog.

LAUGH OFTEN, A GOOD MEDICINE

2009-11-09T01:36:00.000-08:00

You know that when living with diabetes, diet, exercise and medication may be a necessary part of managing your condition. In addition, there are other healing agents that are often overlooked. These won’t cause you any inconvenience or discomfort and you can take them any time of the day. These healing agents are Happiness, laughter and Joy.
A big belly laugh, researchers say, releases a hormone that keeps your immune system healthy. So stack up some funny movies for tonight because, amazing as it sounds, just anticipating a good laugh has significant neuroendocrine effects.
Just anticipating happiness triggers a cascade of beneficial physiological changes. It’s like smiling. When you smile, a warmth begins in your heart and spreads through the rest of your body. You immediately feel a sense of happiness, peace and calm.
In 1989, The Journal of the American Medical Association, acknowledged that laughter therapy could help improve the quality of life for patients with chronic illness.
It is important to note that Joy, happiness and laughter are not something you find in life, but something you bring to life. So stop to see the magic of a side of life. You’ll be giving yourself a powerful booster shot of health.
NB: You can take joy without a prescription – So Start Today!

FIVE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIABETES

2009-10-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Get clear about your reasons for controlling Diabetes.
Forget about guilt, diabetes is a disease not a character flaw or bad habit, learn to encourage yourself in whatever goal you are able to achieve.
Use your blood glucose result to become an Expert in diabetes, it is only when you test you can ascertain the true picture of the effect of your discipline.
Learn what is needed to protect your health e.g eye check, HbA1c test, dental check demand for them from your physician if necessary.
Successful diabetes treatment is Journey not a destination, Be committed to this Journey

Diabetes and Gum Disease

2009-10-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

Living with diabetes offers health challenge in many fronts. Persons living with diabetes are more prone to suffer from Gum disease. Increased glucose levels clog the blood vessels in the mouth and makes it difficult to handle gum infections. When you notice your gums are red or puffy or that they bleed easily following gentle touch or brush, please see your dentist.
The dentist will examine to see if there are plaque or tartar which can predispose to gum disease. It is important to brush your teeth after each meal and floss the mouth after every meal. Keep check of your mouth and be in charge of your diabetes control.

Insulin and Insulin Accessories in Nigeria

2009-10-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is characterised by in ability of the body to utilize glucose obtained from food to produce energy for the overal need of the body due mainly to abnormality of Insulin function.
Insulin is a metabolic hormone produced by the Islet cells in the Pancrease.
Insulin is presently useful in managing persons living with diabetes either Type 1 or Type 2 or those with Gestational diabetes.
Here in Nigeria, Many companies are now bombarding the Pharmaceutical market all kinds and types of insulin. Majority of these companies don't care about the delicate handling requirements especially the fact that this is a tropical country with harsh environmental conditions, salesmen are being asked to sell these insulins and the patients are forced to buy them. I am appealing to patients and persons who stock insulin for the intention of reselling to patients to watch out for the person who is marketing the insulin, how much does he or she knows about handling insulin, it will be much better if they are handled by professionals like Pharmacist not quacks who are being used by companies to cut cost only for the patient to pay with their lives if there occurs any mistake. Be informed, Be Wise.

Meal Planning among Diabetics

2009-10-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is a glucose disorder characterised by an abnormal increase in glucose level in the body.
For someone living with diabetes, it is a dialy challenge trying to balance between the glucose level in the body and the insulin requirement.
Here in Africa, particularly Nigeria, it is a major challenge for individuals living with diabetes to know how to calculate their daily calorie requirement due mainly to illitracy and knowledge about meal planning. Diabetes Educators, dieticians are being called upon to do more to explain this concept to our teeming population of diabetics. Persons living with diabetes are also called upon to spend time and resources on books on meal planning to get more education.

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2009-10-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

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Blood glucose meters and Cost of Diabetes Management

2009-10-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which there occurs an abnormally in the glucose metabolism of the body characterised by increase glucose in the blood which predispose an individual to associated comorbidities.
Blood glucose meters helps to determine instant reading of the arterial plasma blood glucose.
In the western World, a newly diagnosed diabetic patient following counselling is given a blood glucose meter to enable personal glucose monitor while at home. This practice goes a long way in ensuring blood glucose control with time and assist the patient greatly in monitoring the effect of the various meals on his or her blood glucose.
Here in Africa, this practice is not followed mostly because of cost of blood glucose meter and the availability of test strips.
Presently there are so many blood glucose meters in the market, however the cost is nothing to right home about. In Nigeria, considering the minimum wage which is less than $100, one wonders how the companies expect the patients to raise this money to buy glucose meters when the drugs are there to buy and the test strips are also very expensive.
Pharmaceutical companies, Government and philanthrophic individuals should assist in subsidizing the cost of blood glucose meters for our timing population of diabetic patients who all need blood glucose meters, Currently, all companies selling blood glucose meters in Nigeria are selling at high price.
The goal should be patient benefit with minimal profit margin.

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2009-10-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

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Natural Supplements and Diabetes

2009-10-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Natural supplements are products obtained from plants in their natural forms with little or no modification in their forms in most cases processing does not alter their original composition.
Very recently, interest in the natural products is on the increase major reason being that synthetic products seems to pose more health risk and the psychological feeling that natural products are more pure.Natural vitamins and vitamin supplements are the body's key to processing and metabolizing nutrients essential for proper health and vitality.
Persons living with diabetes specially need additonal supplement along with their conventional medication to provide essential vitamins and minerals like zinc, manganese, magnesium, selenium among others. However, caution should be taken on the part of drug companies, patients and doctors to get the right product for the patient comsumption as diabetes confers a health risk to kidneys and liver where most of these products are metabolised.
Let us all collectively act now to get the best out of Nature.

World Diabetes Day November 14, 2009

2009-10-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Diabetes mellitus is on the increase in Nigeria. However, the awareness about what is Diabetes?prevention strategies for Diabetes is grossly lacking. The major problem is lack of interest on the part of Government to create enabling Legislation on food consumption as well as physical activity. The individuals too find it difficult to go for regular check-up as most people feel that it is only afluent persons that go for check-up.
The theme of this years World Diabetes Day is Diabetes Education. We hope and pray that state Governments and Federal Government in Nigeria will muscle up political will to champion this awareness campaign, similarly to us in Non governmental organizations like Diabetes Screening and Care Foundation we need to do more in getting this awareness campaign to the grassroots. We need to go to rural areas, churches, mosques and market places to let people know about healthy ways of eating, exercising and meal planning for those who are already diabetic.
The Government need to make special donations to the programme like it is presently being done for persons living with Hiv/Aids. Lack of interest in this campaign will cost the entire nation greatly.
A stitch in time saves nine.

The Problem of Diabetes in Nigeria

2009-10-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past 30years the prevalence of Diabetes has been increasing steadily. In 1971, a hospital survey by Osuntokun et al in Ibadan estimated a prevalence of 0.4%; In 1989, while screening for Diabetes during a World Diabetes Day(November 14) in Lagos metropolis, Ohwovoriole et al found a prevalence of undiscovered Diabetes of 1.6%; A national survey in 1992 by the Non-communicable Disease Expert Committee of the FMOH recorded a prevalence of 2.2% (National)- Lowest 0.5% in Mangu, Plateau State and highest 7% in Lagos Island; A survey by Puepet 1994, in urban adults in Jos metropolis discovered a

prevalence of undiscovered Diabetes to be 3.1%; by 2004, a second survey in Jos recorded a prevalence of 10.3%.
The progressive increase in the prevalence rates of Diabetes is associated with lifestyle changes; overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, dietary changes and cigarette smoking- factors that are potentially modifiable.
So much attention is being given even recently to Communicable diseases like HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the detriment of the emerging epidemic of Non-Communicable disease like Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Over 30% of our elite population including decision-makers is Diabetic. More painfully so, the majority of the Nigerian Diabetic population cannot afford meaningful treatment; and over 80% of the healthy population are ignorant about Diabetes.
In contrast to Diabetes, the prevalence of HIV is on the decline, probably because information and aid for HIV/AIDs abound. The Federal Ministry of Health data on HIV State prevalence rates of HIV infection as follows:- 1.8% in 1991, 4.5% in 1996, 5.4% in 1999 and 5.0% in 2003. There are organized structures to arrest the scourge of HIV infection and provide free treatment for patients with HIV and TB. There are no known such structures for Non-communicable disease. The average monthly cost of treatment for a person with Diabetes without complication is about N10,000.00 (Ten thousand naira) of the minimum wage.
There is a great need for attention to be given to Diabetes.