Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, says the State Government is committed to the early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases, like Gestational Diabetes.
Dr. Banigo stated this at a Stakeholders meeting for the Control of Gestational Diabetes Miellitus in Rivers State organized by the Rivers State Branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) at the NMA House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 18th July 2019.
The Deputy Governor said improving the quality of life of the Rivers People is of utmost importance to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike this is what informed his recent decision to waive off user fees for the treatment of People Living with HIV.
“We know that gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with high risk in the mothers as well as their offspring of type two diabetes and other metabolic abnormalities, so we are interested in having early diagnosis, they are picked up early and are given appropriate treatment and follow up”. Banigo further stressed.
The Deputy Governor who expressed delight with the activities of the Medical Women’s Association; especially in the area of education said our female children should be taught life style management at the secondary school level to enable them avoid things that could trigger Diabetes.
In her remarks the National Co-ordinator, Non- Communicable Diseases in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe who spoke through Dr. Toma Malau commended MWAN Rivers State for its efforts in tackling Diabetes Mellitus which according to her is one the major non communicable diseases with major emphasis on Gestational Diabetes.
She said the WHO Global Institute reports for 2015 indicates that non- communicable deceases kills over 41 million people annually which according to her is equivalent to 71% of all global death each year.
Earlier, the State President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Dr. Ibimonye Porbeni who spoke through the President- Elect Dr. Vetty Agala said the association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization of female medical and dental doctors in Nigeria affiliated to the Medical Women’s International Association.
According to her, the Medical Women Association, Rivers State in partnership with the World Diabetes Foundation commenced a three year project aimed at implementing access and advocacy intervention for the control of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in 42 communities in 5 local Government Areas in Rivers State.
