Bad eating styles are reported to be leading to an increase in number of eye complications emanating from diabetes.

Research shows that failure to take well balanced and reasonable amounts of some food components are leading to either obesity and even loss of sight due to unbalanced sugar levels in the bodies.

In commemoration of this year’s Diabetes Awareness Day which normally falls on 14 November every year, the Mzuzu Katoto Specialty Lions Club in conjunction with Wezi Medical Center as well as Mzuzu Central Hospital on Saturday offered free eye glasses, testing services and diabetes tests to people in Mzuzu City.

Speaking during the commemorations vice president of the Mzuzu Katoto Specialty Lions Club, Dr Douglas Lungu said its sad that unhealthy lifestyles still remain the major contributing factor leading to an increase in number of eye complications emanating from diabetes and hypertension.

“Lifestyles have increased lifespans, we are eating more but doing very little work, we encourage people to eat healthy food with more fibres and do some exercises,” Lungu said.

Lungu further pointed out that through the four year project they are implementing the Club is working towards its thematic areas which among others includes improving capacity for eye care practitioners, sensitise communities, eye hospitals and vehicle renovations.

Commenting on the event President of the Diabetes Association Northern Malawi chapter, Prince Tembo said neuropathy is a major problem causing eye problems and stroke due to uncontrollable consumption of sugar.

“When bodies are flooded with sugar insulin is not able to control the sugars that wreck havoc in our bodies and when that happens one has to be on medication,” Tembo said.

Tembo further stated that diabetes is indeed chronic in nature and affects bodies and lifestyles but the key to manage it is by checking blood sugar levels regularly, eating nutrient-rich meals, adopting an active lifestyle for weight management, using meditation and breathing techniques for stress management.

At thee main event commemorating the diabetes day, the World Health Organization Malawi joined the Ministry of Health and partners in Kasungu district to raise awareness of the growing burden of this disease, and strategies to prevent and manage the threat.

While the theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is “Access to diabetes care”, in 2022, the campaign focuses on the need for better access to quality diabetes education.