World Diabetes Day is a global awareness campaign held every November 14. Diabetes is a non-communicable long-lasting disease condition known to be one of the major health and development challenges of modern times. It is largely preventable and affects individuals of all ages.
Adult-onset diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or when the fairly good amount produced is opposed by the fat that accumulates in the stomach. It typically manifests as frequent urination, excessive intake of water, and or food with or without weight loss. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to complications including diabetic comas, damage to small blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys, abnormal foot sensation, poor erection in males, stroke, heart attack, and several others.
In recognition of world diabetes day 2020, Mega We Care, a leading pharmaceutical company has launched a nationwide campaign to educate millions of Nigerians on diabetes prevention and care.
Professor Christian Okafor, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in his statement on the launch of the campaign highlighted the need to actively reduce the rate of diabetes in the country through education on prevention and care.
He said ‘Diabetes especially the adult-onset type can be prevented largely by the adoption of healthy lifestyles which comprises engaging in regular physical activities and eating natural foods with a good amount of vegetables and fruits rather than highly processed, fat-laden junk foods; all of these are focused on prevention of gaining excessive body fat/weight (obesity).
Read also: Silent killer: How lifestyle changes can reduce diabetes rate in Nigeria
“Other preventive measures include achieving and maintaining good blood sugar control through proper use of medications, treatment of other associated disease conditions such as hypertension, excessive cholesterol and quitting smoking.’
Speaking on Mega We Care’s commitment to diabetes education and the recent campaign, Amit Singh, Business Head for the Chronic Care division at Mega We Care stated ‘As a leading pharmaceutical company in the world of diabetic medicines, Mega We Care is glad to launch this nationwide campaign under the “Good Health By Yourself” Initiative (GHBY) to educate Nigerians on ways to prevent, manage and avoid complications from diabetes.
According to Singh, GHBY is an initiative of Mega Lifesciences targeted at empowering Diabetes Day and inspiring people and communities to take health into their own hands.
“This campaign will feature educational materials distributed across multiple channels, training sessions for healthcare professionals on new trends in diabetes treatment, and partnerships with complementary organisations.
“We have also in previous years embarked on outreaches and provided free neuropathy and blood sugar screenings across partner pharmacies, hospitals, and schools,” he said.
Mega We Care is a pharmaceutical company with a global presence in over 30 countries having its headquarters in Thailand. Mega We Care in Nigeria is a strong market leader in the world of quality and premium generic medicines hence remains a suitable quality alternative to patent/ originator brands.
