FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Federal Government has been called upon to establish a National Diabetes Center in Anambra State to aid people in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
The call was made by a diabetes advocate, Lydia Okolie at the 2024 Nurses Week of students of College of Nursing Sciences, Department of Nursing, University on The Niger Teaching Hospital, Iyienu, where they also carried out sensitization campaign and free test for Diabetes Mellitus at Nkwo Market Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The student nurses who came out in their numbers went round the market to educate the traders and conduct free sugar and blood pressure tests on them.
The Co-ordinator, Diabetes Advocacy for the Nurses Week, Miss Okolie said that Diabetes Mellitus which is a killer disease is now rampant among people, hence their decision to bring the sensitization to the grassroots to make people to be conscious of their feeding and the need for them to always go for a comprehensive health check.
While thanking those who made donations towards the exercise, she called for more partnership in raising awareness on the killer disease.
The President of the Students Union Government of the college, Comrade Michael Ozueh said that the student’s week is being organized yearly where salient issues concerning health are deliberated and explained that diabetes was brought to the forefront this year, as most people are unaware that they have the disease while those who have it do not know how to manage it, hence the free test and distribution of Glucometer and strips donated by some individuals.
The SUG Education Officer, Comrade Victor Ogbuli harped on the need for diabetic patients to eat right and go for checkups, calling on the government to create centres for diabetes free checks in hospitals to assist diabetic patients.
Some students including Amarachi Anita and Mmesoma Ugwuagu educated the traders on Diabetes Mellitus while a medical laboratory Technician, Ifeoma Ajaegbu spoke on “Benefits of blood donation” saying that a pint of blood can save three lives, and urged those between the ages of eighteen and forty-five to endeavour to donate blood at least three times a year.
Some of the market women who benefited from the exercise thanked the student nurses for the free test and entertainment, even as the distribution of free Glucometer and vitamin C was featured during the rally.
Ibeneme Maria Nkilimma
Senior Info and Pub Relations Officer
