Opinion I Still On 2017 World Diabetes Day

INTENSIFYING AWARENESS ON DIABETES
      

           

Today, November 14, the world over is commemorating the 2017 World Diabetes Day. The World Diabetes Day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes.

         

World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN Resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921. The campaign attached to the World Diabetes Day draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes community and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

           

The theme of this year’s anniversary is ‘Women and diabetes - our right to a healthy future’. The campaign is targeted to promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for, or living with, diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they require to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent Type 2 diabetes. Record has it that diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.

           

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It is often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach.

           

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin. When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy.

           

However this implies that, if one has diabetes, his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy; because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly.

          

There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common.

          

In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs. Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes; it is also sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty (40) or usually during the teenage years.

           

If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

         

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets.

         

Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as Maturity-onset diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people.

         

During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as Gestational diabetes and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse.

           

Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. In several cases, gestational diabetes develops during the second trimester of pregnancy, which is weeks 14 to 26, and disappears after the baby is born. But the truth remains that, women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Let’s ride on!

           

The general symptoms of diabetes, which often take place simultaneously, are: feeling very thirsty; urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night; feeling very tired; weight loss and loss of muscle bulk; cuts or wounds that heal slowly; blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry; itching around the private part or frequent episodes of thrush.

           

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days. Whilst, many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly.

          

Statistics, according to World Health Organization (WHO), show that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high fasting blood sugar. The most devastating aspect of diabetes is that, almost half of the people suffering from it do not know that they have the disease. In view of this, WHO stipulates that diabetes would be the 7^th leading cause of death by the year 2030.

         

Many more people worldwide have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as Pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

         

In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Above all, they are also advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their doctors or health experts.

          

As the global community commemorates the World Diabetes Day anniversary, I’m using this avenue to urge the general public to endeavour to live a life that would exonerate them from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed hundreds of millions of souls as well as maimed several lives both in the past and present. They can achieve this by ensuring that they consume balance diets or by staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods.

          

The sufferers of the disease ought to also note that they can live as long as possible if necessary precautions are always taken, or if they continually stick to the modus operandi surrounding the disease, such as eating healthily, indulging in regular exercise, carrying out blood tests regularly, and consistent intake of the prescribed drugs or frequent consultation of a physician, among others.

           

Yes, diabetes has no absolute cure, but can be prevented or managed if contracted; thus it is worthy to acknowledge that we have every opportunity to live without the disease or live healthily if being attacked by it. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

   

ShortStory II Testimony Time

TESTIMONY TIME

        I was barely 8, and was gradually nearing my early grave. What other notion could a kid in class four nurture than to insinuate that nature was against his existence?

        Though highly cerebral, I was so tender to lead a cause toward emancipating my person from the untold bondage. I became a shadow of myself and the talk of the day within my nuclear cum extended family, and of course the vicinity therein.

        My darling mum, being a qualified nurse, was very helpful to the situation at hand. In fact, she was my messiah to assert the least. Messiah, in the sense that, I was suffering from a medical condition. At 7, I was diagnosed of hepatitis, precisely Hepatitis B.

        I had grown to believe that the aforementioned disease was so cruel that it could claim the bearer’s life unannounced. Being a professional, my mum kept telling me in a language I would comprehend that it wasn’t as deadly as I learnt even though I could overtime widely see in her eyes fear and anguish, especially each time I got struck by the monster.

         I was transferred from a hospital to another on a regular basis, drank pints of blood donated by my relatives; and in some cases, it would seem as if all hopes had been lost. That was how my beloved family rolled for years; yes, a good number of years.

         At the time, use of cell phones was still inborn in the global community, particularly the Nigerian society. And, internet services were not yet ubiquitous; hence, only letter writing was in vogue. Each time any member of my family wrote home, he or she would concentrate mainly on the ailment. They would want to be intimated on the journey thus far and how exactly I was faring at the moment.

          I wasn’t bedridden and there was no time I was, but within me, I was only about two centimeters away from graveyard. It was so serious and was telling on me – both physically and emotionally – that everyone far and near began to reason that it wasn’t just a medical condition.

         It’s noteworthy that my parents’ scarce economy was expended in the process. In spite of the whooping expenses, they weren’t deterred, rather were so committed towards ensuring that I became a better person health wise.

         The situation continued unabated till when we encountered a certain pediatrician who told us that it could best be addressed via dietary. Thereof, I was placed under the care of a renowned dietician.

         She (the dietician) recommended that I should henceforth quit taking various foods and drinks, which included red meat, fried diets, and alcoholics, among others. From what was presented, it seemed I had to begin to detest most of the foods I had ab initio been enjoying both as human and a kid. The conditions alone brought another brand of shock into my already battered bone marrow. Nevertheless, neither did I nor my parents have any choice than to stick strictly to the laid down rules.

        “Hello Fred!” the paediatrician, Dr. Okafor called the moment he walked into the ward where I was hospitalized.

          It was about 8:30 am, and my second day in the centre.

        “Good morning, doctor.” I greeted, lying in my bracket.

        “Morning dear.” he responded. “How are you today?”

        “I am fine, doctor.”

        “I can see you are.” he concurred, nodding and calmly raised my left arm up, then looked at my mum who was seated right beside me. “Hope he slept well?” He asked her.

         I guessed she had already gone to his office to make some pressing enquiries, so there wasn’t need for exchange of pleasantries between them when he stepped into the ward.      

         She nodded immediately. “Yes, he did.” she supplemented. “I really thank God.”

         “Nothing would happen to him.” He assured my pleasant mother, and allowed my arm to return to the bed.

          “Amen oooh!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.

          “Once you stick to the recommended diets,” quoth Dr. Okafor. “He would never suffer from it again.”

          “Okay.” she replied. “I will try my best.”

           He detached his stethoscope from his neck and tenderly placed it on my chest with his right hand. “Do you feel pain here?” He inquired, touching the chest with the other hand as he listened to the gadget.

        “No sir.” I responded.

        “Alright.” he said, withdrew the equipment. “You will be discharged today, okay?”

        “Oh, thank you doctor!” I exclaimed elatedly, looked at my mum.

          She smiled at me in appreciation. “Thank you, doc.” She added, twisting her neck towards him.

       “You are welcome.” He said, hesitantly turned and walked away.

          Thereafter, ‘special’ dishes were made for me. All my soups were cooked without oil and even meat, except fish. Fresh tomatoes were used as the colouring agents. Same measure was applicable to rice, either jollof or stewed. I was taking enough water at intervals, mostly during meals. Aside water, my other food supplements were only natural fruits including oranges, banana, guava, carrot, garden eggs, and what have you.

        That was how I managed the situation for over a year. During this period, I was not unlike a total stranger at home because I inadvertently began detesting virtually every other food to include those I wasn’t advised to avoid. Before I could take anything, I had to consult my mum who would give me a go ahead order or ask me to steer clear of it, as the case might be. I was only doing it to save my humble soul.

         The experience was really hectic for me being a kid who was supposed to fall in love with almost every cooked food. But I had to cope because I had no option, though every effort was possible owing to my mum’s steady attention. You can now understand why I saw her as my messiah. Well, as a medical personnel and mother, she had no option than to respond accordingly.

         At 10, my doctor asked my parents to bring me for further diagnoses, which they complied. There and behold, no trace of Hepatitis B was found in my entire system. Months later, I repeated the tests and same results were observed thereof.

         “Congratulations Fred!” exclaimed Dr. Okafor as he walked up to where I was seated alongside my mum right in his office.

        On hearing the remark, my mum jumped up and I was compelled to follow suit. Therein, she hugged me tightly and passionately too. My dad later got the final breaking news when we got home. It was indeed celebration galore for the entire Nwaozor family.

        Since then till now, I have never been diagnosed of any form of hepatitis infection. If you asked me, I would say it was all about sacrifice and self denial.

       The rest is history, please!   

FDN Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

http://facebook.com/theMediaAmbassador 

               

Opinion II What Should We Tell The Pensioners?

WHAT SHOULD WE TELL THE PENSIONERS?

        

The last time I checked, the teeming Imo pensioners otherwise known as senior citizens were conspicuously bemused and astonished over what could best be described as ‘breach of contract’. The situation was ostensibly helpless, hence the need for a sober reflection.

         

It would be recalled that recently – precisely in July 2017 – the Imo state’s governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha graciously announced the second receipt of the Paris Club refund, and equally used the medium to clarify that the fund would be used to clear the pending arrears of pensions accruable to the state’s retirees as well as pay workers’ salaries.

         

Those of us who had closely watched the revered senior citizens wallow in penury were so pleased over the announcement, thus intensely appreciated the number-one citizen for thinking in such remarkable direction. In fact, at the time, we couldn’t wait to observe the pensioners smile at least once again.

         

Lest I forget; penultimate year, the government had what seemed like a deal with the pensioners. The former pleaded with the latter to forfeit sixty percent (60%) of each of their respective pension arrears ranging from past years till December 2016, promising to start paying their pension promptly – and in full – starting from January 2017. Majority of the creditors complied with the plea just for the sake of peace and way forward. Though some of those who refused to comply are yet to receive their pay as regards the period in review, it’s worth noting that that’s not the concern of this very piece.

         

Having sacrificed greatly in order to ease the burden for the government with the view of ensuring that 2017 henceforth, they would never be regarded as creditors to the government regarding arrears of pensions, it is saddening to note that the pensioners are still not sure what their fate entails when it calls for payment of pensions in the Eastern Heartland.

         

Sometime two months ago, after the declaration of the receipt of the Paris Club refund, they were called to Owerri to collect the arrears of pensions owed them having undergone a rigorous verification conducted by a committee set up by the governor. They went to the venue for the payment, expecting to receive at least eight months of pension arrears – ranging from January to August 2017 – only for them to be handed over cheques  required to take care of just three months of their various pensions. However, they were asked to return the following week for the remaining payment. It’s noteworthy that some of them are yet to receive their cheques for the first three months of the year.

          

It’s pertinent to acknowledge that something very impressive transpired while the cheques were being issued to the senior citizens. Some account officers from the state’s Pension Board were found wanting, thus were instantly arrested by the police via the request of the government. It would be recalled that the Imo government had before then been crying foul that so much funds were being utilized on payment of pension in the state owing to leakages yet to be discovered.

          

Hence, when the indicted pension officers were caught and the misappropriations ascertained therein, I immensely jubilated as well as applauded the Rescue Mission Administration, hoping that the revelation would go a long way in ensuring that the teeming pensioners were no longer owed subsequently since the cause of the inconsequential excesses had been brought in the government’s know.

          

Intriguingly, the case remains the same till date. The pensioners are still looking forward to when the ‘next month’ would be to collect their balance as pledged by the government. Against this backdrop, they keep asking the informed minds like us what their fate actually entails. And frankly, I have gotten tired and exhausted of telling them that the government is on it, hence they ought to exercise patience. Right now, I’m asking; what should we tell the pensioners?

          

I can’t vividly remember how many times I have written as well as spoken on the lingering impasse between the government and the pensioners. For the umpteenth time, I’ve taken my precious time to deliberate on this unending quagmire. Funnily enough, when I was trying to protect the government’s image, some of the pensioners alleged that they were offered dud cheques; that the cheques given to them were bounced when presented at the banks. The report got me destabilized and helpless.

          

I wouldn’t like to comment on this anomaly again, thus I urge the government headed by a man who I believe is compassionate to look into the eyes of the angry pensioners and tell them nothing but the gospel truth. They have surely waited patiently, hence at the moment, have exhausted the patience. It’s invariably my pleasure to mediate between the two parties involved, but it pisses my person off whenever I sense melodrama.

           

Penultimate week, the government disclosed that the unfortunate situation was informed by paucity of funds, thus promising to pay up when things normalized. If such notice holds water or anything to go by, then one would like to know what really happened to the Paris Club refund that was received of late in which we were told would be used to clear backlog of pension arrears.      

         

It’s noteworthy that they are asking for their rights, not privilege. It suffices to say that I see no reason they ought to be begging for such entitlement. I truly share their plights; that’s the reason I’m always concerned about these brouhahas.

          

So, at this juncture I repeat; what should we tell the pensioners? Should they start expecting another messiah, or remain resilient? It’s needless to state that only a straightforward and specific answer is required in this regard. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador