Nigerians from all age groups and backgrounds have been advised to take good care of their health and embrace healthy lifestyles in order not to be susceptible to a killer disease called diabetes. A Medical Officer with Gero Care, Dr. Violet Iheanacho, gave the admonition during a health talk by the Kingdom of Light Ministries (KLM) as part of the church’s yearly Family Health Week.
According to her, diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by high levels of sugar in the blood. She listed the different diabetes as Types I and 2, pre-diiabete stage, and gestational, adding that symptoms of the disease include frequent urination, loss of vision, and an unhealed ulcer. The medical practitioner said further that the disease affects the heart, kidney, eyes, nervous system, skin, among others, making it a deadly disease if not detected early and managed properly.
While noting that diabetes has no cure, Dr Iheanacho urged Nigerians to watch their lifestyles, adding that they should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, reduce their intake of non-alcoholic drinks, stop smoking and check their sugar levels regularly.
In his address, the KLM Founder/Presiding Pastor, Samson Makinwa, also harped on good health. Explaining what informed the church to embark on the programme, he stressed that besides ministering to the spiritual needs of members, it is also proper and useful to educate people to let know why they should also see to their medical needs. The programme is to assist families to see to their health issues of any kind, he said.
“This programme has brought health solutions to many families in the past; it was a big touch on society. Before those who attended were people around us, but in recent years, people came from far and near in Lagos State. This year’s was great; the turnout was high. And various medical experts attended to them all. Various doctors e.g. ophthalmologists, cardiologists, blood- related issues, general medical experts, nurses and para-medicals, etc.
“This event was powered by an organisation in our church called the Kingdom Care. It spends huge money on this event yearly. They also gave out drugs as prescribed by medical doctors and gave medicated eye glasses for eye-related issues.”
The President, KLM’s Kingdom Care Group, Uchechukwu Nwogu, said no fewer than 300 Nigerians have benefited from the programme. He said both members and non-members of the church from not only the community, but also other parts of the state benefit from the programme.