The Babatunde Femi Owolabi Memorial Heart Foundation, a non-governmental and profit organisation based in Atlanta Georgia, USA, is set to facilitate a public lecture and organise free diabetes and hypertension screening for the people of Ekiti State, on Saturday, 21st March 2015, as part of activities lined up in its campaign for the prevention of cardio-vascular diseases and other related conditions.
This was revealed at a press briefing held recently in Lagos. Explaining the rationale behind the activities of the foundation, Tope Tosin Owolabi, President of the foundation said: “Ignorance of citizens and the lack of access to medical facilities in many parts of the country are major factors contributing to the rising cases of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension in Nigeria.”
He stated further that his desire to immortalise the memory of his late brother, Babatunde Femi Owolabi, who lost his life to a cardiovascular disease, was the motivating factor, behind the establishment of the foundation.
Also speaking at the press briefing, Omowumi Bakare, public health consultant and lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine, highlighted the need for regular medical check up to prevent these diseases.
“Diabetes and hypertension are silent killers; you don’t see the symptoms for a long period of time. Don’t wait till you are old before you go for medical check-up.”
Bakare called for healthy lifestyle to avoid these non-communicable diseases.
“Risk factors are unhealthy diet, non regular exercise, excessive consumption of alcohol and salt and reduce stress level,” she said.
