What Nigerians eat and how they treat themselves when sick may be quietly driving a diabetes crisis.
A Lagos-based physician, Dr Gerald Chinasa, says the rising rate of diabetes in Nigeria is being pushed by poorly regulated food and drug production and the widespread habit of self-medication. He warned that fake and substandard products flood the market, often unchecked, exposing people to serious non-communicable diseases.
According to him, sugary drinks, unhealthy diets, OTC drug abuse, corruption and weak enforcement by regulatory agencies are worsening the problem. With diabetes prevalence already estimated at 4.3% in Nigeria, Chinasa says the country must tighten controls, strengthen agencies like NAFDAC, and discourage self-medication before things spiral further.
Bottom line: see a doctor, watch what you consume, and fix the system—fast.
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