By Thompson Yamput
A Professor of Medical Physiology, Magnus Anyakudo, says Nigeria’s burden of diabetes deserves urgent action to save millions of lives.
Prof. Anyakudo of Federal University of Lokoja (FUL) made the call on Thursday while delivering the university’s 35th Inaugural Lecture held at Adankolo campus, Lokoja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the topic of the lecture was “Nutrition, Your Health: Unlocking the Power of Evidenced-Based Dietary Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus.”
The lecturer said that the call became necessary in view of the country’s diabetes burden in the midst of health, economy and social issues.
According to him, the economic burden of diabetes is substantial, with estimated global healthcare expenditure reaching 772 billion dollars in 2018 and 1.015 trillion dollars in 2024.
He said “Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease for which there is no known cure as at now, but understanding the risk factors can help individuals to take proactive steps to reduce their chances of developing it through lifestyle changes and regular health screening.
“To tackle this escalating burden of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria, just like other Non-Communicable Disorders, prevention is the key.
“For those with higher risk, consulting healthcare professionals for personalised advice is recommended.
“There is the need, therefore, for joint or collaborative efforts to identify risk factors and control the modifiable ones among them through well-informed and planned nutritional strategies.”
He appealed for support to those already living with the disorder to promote a culture of health and wellness in the society.
“We should support research and education initiatives that aim to improve diabetes prevention and management. Our own mission is to improve the lives of people living with diabetes and prevent diabetes in those at risk.”
The professor advised people to always eat a balanced diet that comprised a variety of whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
“Endeavour to drink plenty water each day and limit sugary drinks, avoid baked foods and white bread, engage in regular physical activity such as walking to improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.
“Get adequate sleep and manage stress level – engaging in stress-reducing activities, such as yoga or meditation, which improves insulin sensitivity”, he added.
Ealier in his remarks, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, the FUL Vice-Chancellor, said that the university has a responsibility to ensure its research reaches beyond journals into clinics, marketplaces, and homes.
He said “we must strengthen partnerships between our researchers and health services, work with industry and civil society to develop wholesome food environments.
“We should also support public education campaigns that make healthy choices easy choices.
“By this inaugural lecture, Prof. Anyakudo has honoured the academic tradition, offered
knowledge that empower families, influence clinical practice, inform policy makers and guide public health practitioners.” NAN
