Act on diabetes, medics tell govt
Jun 22, 2008
THE Government should step up its efforts to fight diabetes in the country so as to reduce the number of deaths from the condition, health experts have advised.<br>
By Francis Kagolo
THE Government should step up its efforts to fight diabetes in the country so as to reduce the number of deaths from the condition, health experts have advised.
Speaking at the launch of the Microdot glucometer recently, the chairman of the Uganda Diabetes Association, Prof. Andrew Otim said diabetes was the leading cause of heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes, and blindness.
The glucometer is an instrument used to measure the level of sugar in blood
“Diabetes is an increasing health problem. Diabetics are expected to account for 46% of the world’s population by 2010,â€Otim observed, stressing that diabetes was the leading cause of impotence among men.â€
Martin Oteba, a health ministry official in charge of medicines and supplies, noted that glucometers were useful in detecting diabetes and urged individuals to buy them for personal use.
The Microdot gives results in 10 seconds, is user-friendly and convenient, explained Deepak Sharma of KamCare the ditributors of the instrument. It costs 250,000.
Otim decried the scarcity of experts at clinics, inadequacy and high costs of drugs, as the obstacles to treating diabetes.
He called for constant active monitoring of blood-sugar levels and urged diabetics to seek medical attention.
THE Government should step up its efforts to fight diabetes in the country so as to reduce the number of deaths from the condition, health experts have advised.
Speaking at the launch of the Microdot glucometer recently, the chairman of the Uganda Diabetes Association, Prof. Andrew Otim said diabetes was the leading cause of heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes, and blindness.
The glucometer is an instrument used to measure the level of sugar in blood
“Diabetes is an increasing health problem. Diabetics are expected to account for 46% of the world’s population by 2010,â€Otim observed, stressing that diabetes was the leading cause of impotence among men.â€
Martin Oteba, a health ministry official in charge of medicines and supplies, noted that glucometers were useful in detecting diabetes and urged individuals to buy them for personal use.
The Microdot gives results in 10 seconds, is user-friendly and convenient, explained Deepak Sharma of KamCare the ditributors of the instrument. It costs 250,000.
Otim decried the scarcity of experts at clinics, inadequacy and high costs of drugs, as the obstacles to treating diabetes.
He called for constant active monitoring of blood-sugar levels and urged diabetics to seek medical attention.