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Health experts have urged Nigerians to consume more local foods to prevent diseases and untimely death.
They gave the advice on Saturday at a two-day medical outreach organised in memory of the late Mrs. Phebian Obasoyin, who died on September 9, 2021, at the age of 90 years.
It was held at the residence of the deceased in Ikere-Ekiti.
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 News Agency of Nigeria reports that the medical 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 Adejuyigbe General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said the events would create awareness of some diseases that could be prevented through the control of eating habits.
Omotoso said that it would enable many people to check their health status in order not to be caught unaware of avoidable diseases.
He said: “Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the cardiovascular diseases that affect 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 an 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.
According to her, every local food is healthy, unlike the westernised foods that are causing damage to 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 a balanced diet, vegetables and fruits, avoid alcohol and tobacco and engage in physical activities,” she advised.
On behalf of the 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 patients see them, but “only need careful management and strict adherence to medical experts’ advice”.
“Our mother was hypertensive and diabetic for over 30 years, but we, the children ensure that she adheres strictly to medical and dietary advice.
“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.
(NAN)
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