Health
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has screened no fewer than 210 residents of Awkunanaw community in Enugu for diabetes and other related illnesses.
Other screenings carried out on Wednesday at the EEDC Free Diabetes Outreach included free blood pressure check, blood sugar check, Body Mass Index (BMI) status as well as general health counseling.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that at the two-day event which started on Dec. 8, 2020, free diabetes and hypertensive drugs among others were distributed as required while referrals were made.
Speaking at the event, Mr Emeka Ezeh, the Head of Communications, EEDC, told newsmen that the outreach was “a way the company is giving back to the society’’ and part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“EEDC genuinely cares for the wellbeing and welfare of its customers; we have selected a community where we feel most of the people might not have the resources to do a regular check-up.
“As a year ender, we put up the outreach to reemphasise the company’s desire to continue to care for its esteemed customers.
“The company targeted diabetes and its related illness, since diabetes is a dangerous silent killer and most times people suffering it might not know they have `the silent killer’ in them,’’ he said.
Dr Uchenna Nnajekwu, the Team Leader of EEDC Free Diabetes Outreach, disclosed that more than 30 per cent of those screened had hypertension and about 10 per cent among them did not even known that they were hypertensive prior to the screening.
Nnajekwu noted that a lot of residents living with diabetes and hypertension had stopped taking their drugs.
“We have to advise them again on the need to continue taking their drugs daily and to be faithful with it,’’ she said.
According to her, diabetes and hypertensive drugs are life-long medications, which at times, may need adjustment as prescribed by the doctor and not total abandonment or stopping.
“I will advise that they do regular medical check-up; if possible buy diabetes and hypertensive check kits and for those that cannot afford the kit, they can visit nearly chemist shops to do the check/screening.
“They should eat healthy with a lot of vegetables and fruits, while reducing starchy food as much as possible. Our people should also engage in regular exercise to keep fit,’’ he said.
A beneficiary of the outreach, Mrs Chinwe Oranye, lauded the EEDC for the initiative.
“This singular benevolence to our people in Awkunanaw will definitely reduce the health burden of the people.
“I was screened free-of-charge and I later got some packs of hypertensive drugs, which is presently expensive in the chemist or pharmacist shops.
“May God continue to bless and progress EEDC for their kind gesture,’’ Oranye prayed. (NAN)
– Dec. 9, 2020 @ 20:10 GMT |
Tags: EEDC conducts free medical screening on residents of Enugu community
