Firms screen 6,000 Nigerians to promote early treatment of diabetes

As part of its efforts to prevent diabetes-related complications, Roche Diabetes Care has partnered Diabetes Association of Nigeria and ISN Medical to screen over 6,000 Nigerians.

Alkali Mohammed, president of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, said that over 6,000 Nigerians were screened during the nationwide campaign in line with the proactive care initiative in Nigeria.

“We were supported by our long-standing partner, Roche and ISN Medical who have remained committed as we are in increasing access and achieving Universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians,” he said.

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Tosin Akinsulire, product manager at Roche Diabetes Care, said partnership between public and private sectors is the key to improving access to care for people with diabetes who are at risk.

“We are honoured to join forces with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria in their drive to help improve access to care for people with diabetes across the country,” Akinsulire said.

Akinsulire said the company hopes that people who are detected to have diabetes and pre-diabetes can start their treatment to live fulfilling lives with the people they love.

She further said that the collaboration with DAN was due to the common vision and aim to address the growing prevalence of diabetes in the country.

On her part, Ify Chioke, director for consumer health at ISN, said the screening will see ISN Medical supplying Accu-Chek testing equipment, while Roche will donate the necessary Accu-Chek blood glucose monitoring products to hospitals and also distribute educational materials such as screening booklets, educational booklets, and dietary brochures.

The mass screenings were launched during World Diabetes Day in early November across 73 Diabetes Association of Nigeria chapters in Nigeria and 23 hospitals.

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People who received positive diagnoses were referred to general practitioners for further treatment and the team also carried out diabetes awareness sessions at some of these camps where they educated the public about diabetes and its management.