Over 400 residents of the Nyanya community in Abuja recently benefited from a free health screening exercise, an initiative spearheaded by the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), FCT Zone, in collaboration with MegaLife Sciences Limited. This significant event took place at the Nyanya General Hospital and was a core part of the activities commemorating World Diabetes Day 2025, which carried the pertinent theme of “Diabetes Across Life Stages”.

Dr. Abubakar Danraka, the Zonal Coordinator of WAPCP, Abuja Zone, highlighted the college's long-standing tradition of observing World Diabetes Day annually through the organization of free health screenings in various communities across the Federal Capital Territory. He stressed the paramount importance of regular health checks, pointing out that diabetes is often a 'silent disease' with subtle symptoms that can remain unnoticed for many years. Dr. Danraka articulated that the primary advantage of such health checks and screenings is the ability to detect potential problems early, rather than waiting for severe symptoms to manifest before seeking medical attention. Furthermore, he noted that this free health screening offered substantial financial relief to the participants, saving each individual an estimated N10,000 to N15,000, which would otherwise be incurred through consultations, tests, and counselling.

Adding to the understanding of the disease, Dr. Kayode Okeji, the Zonal Secretary of WAPCP (FCT Zone), further elaborated on diabetes being a silent condition. He explained that common symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and increased appetite often go unrecognised until complications have already developed. In light of these insights, the WAPCP strongly urged all Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyle habits. This includes engaging in regular exercise, maintaining appropriate weight control, and adopting a balanced diet. Such proactive measures are crucial in significantly reducing the risk of developing diabetes and other related non-communicable diseases.