“Over 5 Million Nigerians Are Diabetic” --- Says The Minister Of State For Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan has said over 5 million Nigerian adult are diabetic and half of that number unaware of their status, which unfortunately leads to their death. The minister made this known at a press briefing to commemorate the World Diabetes Day. He lamented that the condition is now prevalent among adolescents and young adults, attributing it partly to the rapid socio-cultural change experienced in most developing countries leading to the adoption of new lifestyle and risky behaviours. Alhassan said, “the modifiable shared risk factors for diabetes include tobacco use, unhealthy nutrition, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.” Calling for Nigerians to take their health seriously, Dr Alhassan said diabetes, if discovered lately or managed poorly, can lead to common complications such as diabetic gangrene leading to amputation of the lower limb, chronic renal failure, hypertension, visual impairment or blindness, multiple organ damaged associated with atherosclerosis.

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Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.