World Diabetes Day: UCH CMD Harps On Frequent Body Examination

As the world marked the Diabetes Day, the Chief Medical Director, CMD of the University College Hospital, (UCH) Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo has called on Nigerians irrespective of their age to prioritise constant examination of their body system to avoid untimely death.

The CMD, who was represented by the institution’s Chief Medical Advisory Committee Chairman (CMAC), Dr. Abiodun Adeoye made this known at the Department of Paediatrics, UCH, Ibadan.

While speaking with journalists after the awareness walk around the city to sensitise member of the public about the danger of having excess sugar in the body, Prof. Jesse hinted that diabetes is not a death sentence and that research has shown that the disease is not only found in adults, but that it is also common among the children.

He however, advised those that have been diagnosed of the disease and currently being treated in UCH, to comply with the instructions of their doctors so as to keep fit at all times.

“You have walked round the city which means you must have burnt out some level of calories that will reduce the excess sugar in your body. I want you to comply with your doctor’s advice so as to keep fit all the time,” he said.

The CMD however pledged that the hospital will continue to give more support to the department so that more children with the ailment will be taken care of.

In her remarks, the custodian and organiser of the annual event, Dr. Oluwakemi Ashubu stated that members of the public should be familiar with their wards so that they can notice any form of changes in time for immediate medical attention.

“It is an auto immune disease that come about, when some cells of the body are fighting the cells of the pancreas. When these cells are destroyed, they will not be able to produce the required insulin to take up the glucose in the blood and deliver it to the cells in the body so they can perform their own functions well; insulin is very essential in the body.

“When you see a child that suddenly begins to bed wet, loses weight despite eating a lot, or becomes hungry immediately after meals or drinks water more than necessary, the parents need to observe and take the child for proper medical examination,” she said.

She said that no permanent cure has been found for the disease, hence the need to comply with medical instructions to avoid complications.

Dr. Ashubu stressed that the disease is a metabolic disorder in the body system.

The event also had in attendance public health nurses, dieticians, medical social workers and peadiatricans.

November 14 of every year is set aside as World Diabetes Day.