The Lions Club of Blantyre has invested K1 million for diabetes awareness and eye testing in the district.
The club has among others reached out to factory workers at Rab Processors Limited, Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons, Malawi Telecommunications Limited and communities around Mdeka Health centre.
Speaking during the exercise at Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons on Thursday, Chairperson of the Community Services, Lion George Chirombe said they ventured into the two exercises from October this year after noticing an increase in registered cases of diabetes and eye problems.
Chirombe added that this year they targeted factory workers knowing that they hardly seek medical check-ups due to pressure at work.
“Most of these factory workers do not usually have time of their own, when they are off duty they still go to work due to overtime incentives, and in Mdeka we just want to give communities a chance to test closer to their homes knowing that many of them still have the perception that diabetes is a disease for the rich society,” he said.
Clinical officer working with Blantyre District Health Office Suzike Likumbo called on the general public to rush to the hospital whenever they experience symptoms such as general body weakness, frequent urination, thirsty or a sole in the body that has not healed for a long period of time.
She said when diagnosed early, diabetes one and two are both controllable through medication or diet control.
Said Likumbo: “We are much concerned with serious complications on delicate parts of the body including heart muscles, nerves, eyes and decrease in immunity that comes when one is not seeking immediate medical attention. These exercises are crucial because they will make sure more people are treated.”
On Wednesday and Thursday 450 people were tested out of which 7 had diabetic conditions which they did not know before and were referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital while those with eye problems were referred to the Lions Club Eye Clinic in Blantyre.
