By Charles Abere.
Health experts have advised Nigerians to consume more of local foods to prevent diseases and untimely death.
The advice was given on Saturday at a two-day medical outreach held in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in memory of late Mrs Phebian Obasoyin, who died on Sept. 9, 2021 at the age of 90 years.
At the outreach organised by the Deaconess Phenian Obasoyin Diabetes Patients Foundation, free medical tests were conducted for the participants, while drugs were dispensed freely to those in need.
The Foundation conducted medical tests on the beneficiaries with diabetes, blood pressure, washing of teeth and hepatitis.
In his remarks, Dr Samuel Omotoso, the Medical Director of Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said the events would create awareness on some diseases that could be prevented through control of eating habits.
Omotoso said that it would enable many people to check their health status in order not to be caught unaware by avoidable diseases.
He said: “Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the cardiovascular diseases that affects the heart.
“It is usually referred to as a silent killer, because it sometimes does not give any symptoms until it is late or in advanced stage, leading to stroke or heart failure or attack.
“Hypertension is not designated to create fear or stress in people, but to educate them on the importance of getting their blood pressure checked and educate them on their diet to prevent the risk of hypertension and diabetic-related diseases.”
Also, addressing the beneficiaries, Dr Seeke Abiodun, said it was unfortunate that children too were affected by the two diseases.
Abiodun urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of eating local foods to prevent diabetes.
Stressing that every local foods is healthy, unlike the westernised foods that are causing several damages to the health.
She attributed the rise in the ailment partly to the sedentary lifestyle of many Nigerians, saying that high blood pressure and diabetes were more prevalent in the urban areas than in the rural areas.
The medical expert urged Nigerians to watch their dietary pattern and reduce their intake of salt.
“Instead, eat more of balanced diet, vegetables and fruits, avoid alcohol and tobacco and engage in physical activities,” she advised.
On behalf of children of the deceased, Princess Adeola Ale, said that their mother successfully managed the treatment of both hypertension and diabetes for over 30 years before she died in 2021.
Ale said that the diseases were not as fearful and deadly as most patient see it, but “only need careful management and strict adherance to medical experts advice”.
“Our mother was hypertensive and diabetic for over 30 years, but we, the children ensure that she adhere strictly to medical and dietary advises.
“She was able to live for 90 years without any negative impact on her,” Ale said.
The late Mrs Phebian Obasoyin (Eye Loge) was survived by six children namely: Bosede, Fatai, Adeola, Jide, Adetola and Johnson.
