Diabetes mellitus is the commonest endocrine-metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia giving rise to the risk of microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) and macrovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease) damage , with associated reduced life expectancy and diminished quality of life.
Recent estimates indicate there were 171 million people in the world with diabetes in the year 2000 and this is projected to increase to 366 million by 2030. This increase in prevalence is expected to be more in the Middle Eastern crescent, Sub-Saharan Africa and India.
In Africa, the estimated prevalence of diabetes is 1% in rural areas, up to 7% in urban sub-Sahara Africa, and between 8-13% in more developed areas such as South Africa and in population of Indian origin.
The prevalence in Nigeria varies from 0.65% in rural Mangu (North) to 11% in urban Lagos (South) and data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that Nigeria has the greatest number of people living with diabetes in Africa.
This reason prompted Sani Bello Foundation in partnership with Hajiya Safinatu Buhari Foundation to offer a 3-Day free diabetes medical treatment in Niger State (Kontagora specifically and environs). This programme spanned from 5th – 7th, May, 2014. The programme took place in General Hospital, Kontagora, Niger State.
Over 400 people were test with approximately 60% tested positive and were given serious medical attention with the help experiences medical personnel.
A follow-up programme was strategized after critical cases were identified by donating Diabetes Test Kits and drugs for the General Hospital.
