Health Minister Restates Commitment on Diabetes Awareness
The Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has inaugurated the National Steering Committee for the Diabetes Awareness and Care Project (DAC), in Nigeria.
While inaugurating the DAC Committee recently in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Adewole noted that the Federal Government was commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and improving diabetes care in Nigeria.
The Minister informed that ‘’ the Non- Communicable Disease Division of the FMOH in Collaboration with the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF) and with the support of the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), has embarked on this project ,which will first be implemented in two states of the country namely FCT and Imo Sates,’’ he added .
Prof Adewole stressed that the aim of the project was to increase diabetes awareness, improve access to care and strengthen two way referral systems for Diabeties in Imo and FCT.
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He pointed that ‘’ the finalization of the National Guideline for prevention and control of diabetes in Nigeria which took place earlier this month is an integral part of this project. It is expected that the Guideline will ensure standardized protocol for medical care and patient self – management education to prevent acute complication and reduce the risk of long term complications among Nigerians living with the disease’’.
To this end, The Minister said that the Main Objectives of the project among other also include are, To improve information available for institution of an informed interventions for Diabetes and To improve access to Diabetes care through training of 220 Health care workers at PHC Level and screening of at least 30,000 individuals per state for T2DM in Imo and FCT to improve case findings for Diabetes.
Prof Adewole emphasized that the project was to last for 3 years(2018-2021) , adding that part of the terms of implementing the project was for the Constitution of the project to provide both oversight and guidelines as well as ensuring the terms of the implementation are adhered to.
He commended the World Diabetes Foundation and Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation for the support and efforts to ensure this day becomes a reality.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, FMOH, Mr. Abdallahi Mashi, who was represented by the Director, Public Health, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, said that the prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria was increasing with current WHO figures estimates at 3.4% ,local studies carried out by researchers have figures from 3-10%.
Responding on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Evelyn Ngige ,Prof. Felicia Anumah, Member, pledged that the committee was committed the task ahead and would deliver on its mandate
Boade Akinola (Mrs.)
