By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has screened no fewer than 210 residents of Awkunanaw community in Enugu State on diabetes and other related illnesses.

Other screening carried out at the EEDC Free Diabetes Outreach included; free blood pressure check, blood sugar check, Body Mass Index (BMI) status as well as general health counselling and free diabetes and hypertensive drugs among others.

Speaking, the Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, told newsmen on Wednesday that the outreach was a way “the company is giving back to the society” as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“EEDC genuinely cares for the wellbeing and welfare of its customers; and 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 re-emphasis 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, revealed that more than 30 per cent of those screened have hypertension and about 10 per cent among them did not even know that they are hypertensive before their screening.

Nnajekwu noted that a lot of residents having diabetes and hypertension had stopped taking their drugs, adding that we have to re-advise them again on the need to continue to take their drugs daily and be faithful with it.

According to her, diabetes and hypertensive drugs are life-long medications; that at times 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, 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, adding: “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 pack 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.

The EEDC Free Diabetes Outreach was carried out in two days, from Dec. 8 to Dec. 9. Ends