The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), Ondo State chapter, has issued a crucial call for early detection of diabetes, highlighting it as the primary defence against severe and often debilitating health complications. The association expressed significant concern over the alarming number of Nigerians who are living with the condition without a formal diagnosis.
Advocacy and Awareness as Key Tools
Leading the charge, the State Chairman of DAN, Dr. Adenike Enikuomehin, emphasised that intensified advocacy and public awareness campaigns are vital for reducing the burden of diabetes-related health issues. Dr. Enikuomehin, an endocrinologist from the FUTA Teaching Hospital, made these remarks during a sensitisation visit to Ijapo High School in Akure on 15 November 2025.
Addressing the students and teachers under this year's theme, "Diabetes and Wellbeing," she detailed the common risk factors that everyone should be mindful of:
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity and being overweight
- Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity
- Ageing and high blood pressure
- A history of gestational diabetes
Catching Them Young: A Strategy for Change
Dr. Enikuomehin underscored the urgency of continuous education, particularly among the youth, about the dangers of undiagnosed diabetes. She advised the students to adopt healthier lifestyles, including engaging in regular physical activity.
"We are here to educate the students on diabetes. When we catch them young and they understand what diabetes is, they take the message home to their parents," she stated. "We told them about the risk factors, including obesity. Children can also have type 2 diabetes, so we urged them to engage in regular exercise."
She further explained that the initiative also aimed to educate teachers, noting the importance of mental and occupational health. "Early in life, students need to know what diabetes is and be able to recognise symptoms. Education is power. Many people with diabetes don't even know they have it," she added.
Recognising the Symptoms and Dangers
The medical expert warned that diabetes often presents with clear symptoms like excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. However, she lamented that many individuals only seek medical help after serious complications have developed. These complications include:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Painful sensations in the legs
- Erectile dysfunction
- Palpitations and heart attacks
- Poor eyesight and blindness
The school counsellor, Mrs. Ojuolape, commended DAN for the impactful awareness campaign. She noted that the students had gained vital knowledge about diabetes and its risk factors, contrasting it with the misconceptions of the past.
"Students today are lucky because, in our days, we didn't have access to this kind of information. We were made to believe that certain symptoms were caused by spiritual attacks," Mrs. Ojuolape reflected. "This visit has been a blessing. There were many things we didn't know about diabetes and its symptoms. Now the students understand these issues and can share the knowledge at home."
Empowered by the new information, the students pledged to become active advocates in the ongoing campaign against diabetes within their communities.
