No fewer than six million Nigerians are estimated to be living with diabetes just as the disease is expected to account for 52 percent of deaths in the country by 2015.

Brand Development Manager of DeeDoo Nigeria, Erdoo Apeh, revealed this while briefing newsmen as part of the organisation’s activities to mark 2012 World Diabetes Day Awareness Campaign today.

She said this year’s theme, Protect our Future, was apt in view of rising cases of people living with diabetes and deaths arising from complications of the disease.

Apeh said: “Diabetes is an emerging epidemic that can be linked to obesity, physical inactivity and diet; those most frequently affected are aged between 35 and 64.

“Diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

“Nigerians are at risk of having the disease because of their life style, eating habits and nonchalant attitude towards comprehensive and routine medical check-ups, hence this awareness campaign.”

Erdoo further noted that as part of its social responsibilities, her organisation would take the campaign to some schools in Benue State, where provision of customised educational materials on the disease, it’s management and medical advises would be distributed free to the pupils.

She said: “We hope that this awareness campaign would go a long way in sensitising our children who are our future to start developing habits which would ensure healthy lifestyle now and for the rest of their lives.”

– Vanguard