Young Pharmacists Lead Diabetes Campaign

Martins Ifijeh
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2012, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 80 per cent of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries which include Nigeria. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 per cent of diabetes worldwide. While Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services and essential medicines can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

The President of Lighthouse Global Health Initiative (LGHI), Pharmacist Adebisi Adenipekun, has mobilised over 50 young volunteers to move diabetes morbidity and mortality in Nigeria from concerns to actions.
The campaign which held simultaneously in three states; Ten family market, Anwa Udo Akai road Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State; Kampala village, Niger state; and Mayfair market, Ile-Ife, Osun states, was led by Pharmacists Olurogba Badewo and Folarin Olaniran as project managers. Cumulatively, more than 200 adults had free blood sugar test, free medical consultations, free medications where required and appropriate referral to the nearest health facilities.

The project, according to Adenipekun, was sponsored and supported by corporate organisations such as Swiss Pharma Nigeria Ltd., Lily Pharmacy and Stores ltd., Giftalive Pharmacy, JDJ Pharmacy, Ariplus Pharmacy, Phaim Pharmacy, Bembrose Pharmacy, Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) and some individuals’ donation.

The young pharmacist, explained that the objective of the campaign aimed to launch LGHI interventions on diabetes prevention and management among vulnerable populations in Nigeria; and to commemorate the World Health Day 2016 by increasing level of knowledge on prevention and management of diabetes among vulnerable populations were achieved.