Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
A medical doctor in Gombe State has urged residents to adopt healthier eating habits, engage in regular physical activity and undergo routine blood sugar tests to reduce their risk of diabetes and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
The advice was given by Dr Tarangna Ali Buba, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, as Nigeria joined the international community in observing World Diabetes Day on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
According to a report by Punch, the doctor emphasised that preventing diabetes does not necessarily require expensive food choices or costly lifestyle changes. He encouraged residents to make practical adjustments to their daily diets and prioritise regular health checks.
His recommendations come amid concerns about people living with diabetes without knowing their health status, with some only discovering the condition after developing serious medical complications.
Doctor Recommends Affordable Dietary Changes
Dr Buba advised residents to reduce the quantity of carbohydrates they consume and include more vegetables and protein in their meals.
He identified affordable food options such as cucumber and spinach as examples of ingredients that can contribute to healthier eating.
The doctor explained that maintaining a balanced diet should not be viewed as something reserved for people who can afford expensive meals.
He also urged residents to reduce their consumption of sugary drinks, refined foods and other products containing high amounts of sugar.
The recommendations highlight the importance of food choices in managing blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
However, healthy eating does not necessarily mean eliminating carbohydrates completely. The focus should be on appropriate portions, dietary balance and choosing nutritious sources of carbohydrates alongside vegetables and protein.
Regular Exercise Considered Essential for Diabetes Prevention
Beyond dietary adjustments, Dr Buba encouraged residents to make physical activity a consistent part of their everyday lives.
Regular exercise can help the body use insulin more effectively, support healthy weight management and improve overall metabolic health.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), physical activity is an important measure for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly among people with increased risk factors.
The organisation recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming and dancing can contribute towards this target. International Diabetes Federation
For residents who cannot afford gym memberships or specialised fitness programmes, walking and other accessible physical activities can provide practical alternatives.
The IDF also recommends reducing prolonged sitting by taking short movement breaks throughout the day.
Health experts emphasise that consistency is more important than attempting intense exercise occasionally. People who are not physically active can begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase their activity.
Doctor Warns Against Undiagnosed Diabetes
Dr Buba expressed concern that some residents might be living with diabetes without knowing their health status.
He identified excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger and unexplained weight loss as warning signs that should prompt people to seek medical attention.
The doctor advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to visit a hospital for blood sugar testing rather than waiting for the condition to become more serious.
Early detection is particularly important because diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms in some individuals.
Routine medical assessments can help identify elevated blood sugar levels and allow healthcare professionals to recommend appropriate interventions.
The International Diabetes Federation also identifies regular health screening as an important measure for detecting early warning signs, particularly among people at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. International Diabetes Federation +1
Residents should not rely exclusively on symptoms to determine whether they have diabetes. Appropriate medical testing remains necessary for diagnosis.
Complications of Poorly Managed Diabetes
The Gombe-based doctor warned that diabetes that is not properly managed can cause extensive damage to vital organs.
According to him, possible complications include:
- Damage to the eyes, potentially resulting in blindness.
- Kidney damage and kidney failure.
- Heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications.
- Damage to nerves.
- Stroke.
- Severe foot complications that can eventually require limb amputation.
These complications demonstrate why diabetes management requires more than occasional medical attention.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that maintaining appropriate blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related health problems.
Healthy eating, physical activity and following professional medical advice are important parts of long-term diabetes management. NIDDK
Dr Buba, however, reassured people already living with diabetes that the condition does not prevent them from maintaining a productive life.
He said patients could live near-normal lives by following medical advice, taking prescribed medications and maintaining proper blood sugar control.
His message reinforces the importance of treating diabetes as a manageable medical condition rather than a reason for discrimination or social exclusion.
Sparkling Initiative Provides Diabetes Support in Gombe
The doctor also highlighted the activities of Sparkling Initiative, a non-governmental organisation supporting people living with diabetes in Gombe State.
Through its Living Actively with Diabetes programme, the organisation provides health education, screening opportunities and practical support for people managing the condition.
According to Dr Buba, the programme holds weekly activities every Saturday at Kenedy Academy between 10am and 12pm.
The activities include:
- Health education.
- Blood sugar checks.
- Blood pressure monitoring.
- Medical consultations.
- Practical guidance on physical exercise.
The initiative provides an opportunity for participants to access health information and receive guidance on managing diabetes.
Dr Buba encouraged residents, particularly people already diagnosed with the condition, to take advantage of the programme.
The availability of community-based health initiatives is significant because access to regular medical support can be difficult for people facing financial challenges or living far from healthcare facilities.
Doctor Calls for Support for Patients Unable to Afford Medication
Beyond prevention and early detection, Dr Buba appealed to governments and well-meaning individuals to support people who cannot afford diabetes medication.
He particularly highlighted the financial difficulties faced by patients who depend on insulin to manage their condition.
The appeal draws attention to the economic dimension of diabetes treatment, where the cost of medication and regular medical monitoring can create difficulties for patients and their families.
For people with diabetes, interruptions in prescribed treatment can create serious health risks. Access to appropriate medication, professional guidance and regular monitoring therefore remains essential.
The doctor also called on families and communities to support people living with diabetes rather than stigmatise them.
He stressed that having the condition should not become a basis for discrimination.
Community awareness, financial assistance and improved access to healthcare can help patients manage their condition with dignity.
World Diabetes Day Highlights Importance of Early Action
The doctor’s intervention coincided with World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14 to raise awareness about diabetes, its prevention, diagnosis and management.
The 2026 observance was marked under the theme, Early Action on Diabetes, according to the report by Punch.
The emphasis on early action reflects the importance of identifying diabetes-related risks, seeking medical attention promptly and ensuring that diagnosed patients receive appropriate treatment.
Diabetes is a long-term condition affecting how the body regulates blood glucose. It includes different forms, with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes among the major types.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with several modifiable risk factors, including excess body weight, unhealthy dietary patterns and insufficient physical activity.
The International Diabetes Federation notes that type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented through lifestyle changes and appropriate risk management. Type 1 diabetes, however, cannot currently be prevented through lifestyle changes. International Diabetes Federation
This distinction is important because diabetes prevention advice should not suggest that every form of the condition can be avoided by eating differently or exercising.
Why the Gombe Health Warning Matters
The message from Dr Buba highlights the need to strengthen public awareness about diabetes prevention and management at community level.
For residents of Gombe and other parts of Nigeria, adopting healthier habits does not necessarily require expensive fitness programmes or specialised diets.
Reducing sugary drinks, moderating food portions, incorporating vegetables into meals and engaging in accessible physical activities can contribute to better health.
However, lifestyle adjustments should complement rather than replace professional medical care.
People already diagnosed with diabetes should not independently stop prescribed medication or make major dietary changes without consulting their healthcare providers.
The doctor’s appeal also highlights the importance of making diabetes screening and treatment more accessible, particularly for people from low-income households.
Governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders have important roles to play in improving public education and supporting patients.
What Happens Next?
Dr Buba’s recommendations place responsibility on individuals and communities to take diabetes prevention and management more seriously.
Residents are encouraged to undergo appropriate blood sugar checks, seek medical attention when warning signs appear and maintain healthier daily routines.
The weekly activities organised by Sparkling Initiative at Kenedy Academy also provide an existing community support opportunity for people seeking diabetes-related education and monitoring.
Greater participation in such programmes, alongside improved access to affordable medication and medical services, could strengthen efforts to reduce diabetes-related complications in Gombe State.
Ultimately, early detection, appropriate treatment and sustained lifestyle changes remain important in reducing the health burden associated with diabetes.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch – Eat Less Carbohydrates, Exercise Regularly, Doctor Urges Gombe Residents – Original report and statements by Dr Tarangna Ali Buba.
- International Diabetes Federation – Reducing Diabetes Risk – Guidance on diabetes prevention, nutrition and physical activity.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – Healthy Living with Diabetes – Information on diabetes management, nutrition and complications.
