Accra, Aug 12, – Dr Francis Ofei, president of the Ghana Diabetes Association, today advised doctors against rushing to give medication to diabetics since it may worsen their condition. Dr Ofei, who was speaking at a seminar, said studies have shown that certain diabetics have high levels of insulin which is not rpt not utilized by their bodies. Additional levels of the substance will therefore affect them. Insulin is a substance produced naturally in the body which allows sugar (glucose) in the blood to be used for energy. A person is said to be diabetic when the volume of insulin or its distribution in his or her body is not rpt not enough to control the sugar level in the blood. Dr Ofei, also a lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, said those with a problem of insulin distribution can manage their condition when they are educated to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat properly and increase their physical activities. ”When these do not work, then appropriate medications can be given. However, those whose pancreas do not produce enough insulin should be introduced to insulin without delay”. The seminar, organized by the Ghana Diabetes Association for health workers including doctors, pharmacists, dieticians and nurses to share information and ideas on the disease, was attended by about 90 participants from the private and public sectors. Dr Ofei said that at a recent conference held in the United Kingdom by the International Diabetes Association, it was revealed that because of late diagnosis, about half of the people with diabetes suffer its related complications before the disease is diagnosed. The complications include eye and kidney problems, stroke, hypertension, and impotence. It is estimated that four per cent of the Ghanaian population are diabetic. Dr Ofei said, to arrest the problem of late diagnosis, the international association intends to recommend to the World Health Organization to adopt a policy which will make people who are 45 years go through clinical investigations to see whether they are diabetic. Those who come out clean will repeat the test every four years while those with history of the disease in their family will go for more regular checks. He emphasized the need for people who lose unexplained weight, pass urine, drink water and eat frequently to report to their doctors. ”Men who are experiencing erectile failures and women who have white frequently or have miscarriages or still births must also report”.
