Blood glucose screening for journalists begins

* NHO partners Rainbow Specialist Hospital, Roche Diabetes Care, Eli Lilly, Pathcare as Nigeria gears up for WDD

Rainbow Specialist Hospital staff at the screening of Punch staff

As part of activities marking the 2016 World Diabetes Day (WDD) Africa’s premier online health newspaper, Nigeria Health Online in collaboration with Rainbow Specialist Hospital, Multinational pharmaceutical companies,  Roche Products Limited Diabetes Care and  Eli Lilly and Pathcare Laboratories yesterday commenced a week-long free blood glucose screening exercise for journalists.

The exercise which will take the screening team to major media houses in Lagos is designed to sensitise the Nigerian media about the rising tide of diabetes worldwide especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

The team, led by Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, an endocrinologist and Mrs. Folasade Olufemi-Ajayi, Roche Accu-Chek Strategic Account Manager, visited the Punch newspaper where they screened about 150 journalists and other staff of the newspaper. Each participant also got free information materials from Roche. These include  a free copy of the Accu-Chek diabetes portion plate poster showing recommended daily food portion for  healthy living and an audio device containing relevant information on diabetes.

Participants were also provided with personal counselling on their test results by Dr. Isiavwe just as Mrs Olufemi-Ajayi counselled on healthy eating for diabetes prevention and management.

Dr. isiavwe described the exercise as “worthwhile.” Saying more people should be encouraged to know their status as early detection of diabetes prevents serious complications associated with the disease such as blindness, loss of limbs among several others.

Pathcare Laboratories staff screening a Punch staff

“We need to reach more Nigerians,” she told NHO after the exercise.  People need to know their status because diabetes is now assuming an epidemic proportion in the country and a large number of people are living with it without any knowledge that they have it.”

She thanked the Punch management for approving the screening of their staff and advised those found with very high blood glucose to seek immediate medical attention for confirmation and immediate follow-up.

In her comment, Mrs Olufemi-Ajayi stressed the need for individuals to eat right to be able to prevent diabetes and other health problems.

“The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day “Eyes on diabetes”, is very relevant to us in  this country. We need  to be conscious and aware of the growing problem of diabetes and do everything possible to prevent it. For those already living with it, they need to stay healthy by monitoring their blood glucose, see their doctors regularly and stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

The management of Punch represented by the Manager, Administration Mrs Oluwafolakemi Gbemuotor and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs Omolara Ogunleye commended the team  and sponsors for the initiative  and expressed the company’s appreciation for extending it to Punch, Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper.

See more pictures below.