LUTH specialists say one in every ten adults now lives with diabetes, urge Nigerians to “know their numbers.”
Endocrinologists have raised fresh concerns over the increasing prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria, urging the public to embrace early detection to prevent life-threatening complications. The warning came during a free diabetes screening exercise held on Friday by the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in commemoration of World Diabetes Day.
The event featured a 10-minute public awareness walk followed by free checks for weight, height, blood pressure, and blood sugar—part of a “know your numbers” initiative aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Wale Bello, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Planning Committee at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, said early screening remains the most effective way to curb Nigeria’s growing diabetes burden. He noted that current data places the prevalence rate at 5–7 percent, meaning as many as seven out of every 100 Nigerians may be diabetic.
Bello emphasised the responsibility of healthcare professionals and medical associations in driving public enlightenment, especially for Nigerians with limited access to medical facilities. He warned against the fear-driven avoidance of medical screening, stressing that untreated diabetes silently damages vital organs and can lead to irreversible complications.
According to him, early diagnosis makes diabetes easier to manage, with some patients requiring only lifestyle adjustments such as improved diet, weight loss, and regular exercise.
Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, Head of the Endocrine and Diabetes Unit at LUTH, also stressed the urgency of routine checks. He revealed that one in every ten Nigerian adults currently lives with diabetes—an alarming statistic mirrored globally, with an estimated 600 million people affected.
He advised Nigerians to routinely check their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, calling these vital indicators the key to preventing complications. Fasanmade added that diabetes affects people of all ages, noting that while type 1 diabetes is more common in children, adults are more prone to type 2.
He urged individuals who test for malaria or typhoid to also request blood sugar tests, as diabetes often occurs alongside hypertension and high cholesterol. Knowing one’s “numbers,” he said, provides better insight into overall health and enables timely medical intervention.
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