Garki Hospital screens Abuja residents for diabetes, hepatitis

Hundreds of residents in Abuja underwent free diabetes and hepatitis screening to mark World Health Day at the city’s Garki Hospital, many for the first time ever. Dr. Isi Irusota, a senior registrar at Garki Hospital, said the challenge with diabetes is ignorance about the disease, its signs and symptoms, the importance of diagnosing it […]

Hundreds of residents in Abuja underwent free diabetes and hepatitis screening to mark World Health Day at the city’s Garki Hospital, many for the first time ever.
Dr. Isi Irusota, a senior registrar at Garki Hospital, said the challenge with diabetes is ignorance about the disease, its signs and symptoms, the importance of diagnosing it early and quick lifestyle changes that can keep it at bay.
“The challenge is ignorance. People are not aware. If you counsel them, they will be better informed,” said Irusota.
Classed among non-communicable diseases that have become a global concern, diabetes is the central focus of this year’s World Health Day.
Hepatitis, though considered dangerous, has a vaccine, which many consider too expensive, fail to test, and do little to prevent, experts say.
The screening is seen as a means of sampling the prevalence of both conditions among a slice of the Federal Capital Territory’s population, and passing clients into treatment or educational programmes to manage or prevent the condition.
Hospital officials said the screening was organised with support by the pharmaceutical firm Roche, is its corporate social responsibility to its immediate community.