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The number of diabetic patients on surgical operations as result of chronic wounds has irked medical personnel in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
Sr. Mary Agiko, a surgeon at the hospital, last week said at least 400 patients, majority of whom necessitate amputation, are admitted annually.
Amputations
She added that two patients had their lower lips amputated because of the wounds that have failed to cure as result of diabetes, also known as a metabolism disorder, in its advanced stages.
“The problem is people don’t test for the disease until they discover it at the advanced stage,” Sr. Agiko said, while handing over testing equipment to St. Francis Care Services donated by a UK-based rotary club.
She said there are two types of diabetes, but Type 1 and 2 last a lifetime yet there is no known cure.
She added that If diabetes is not adequately controlled, the patient has a significantly higher risk of developing complications.
Sister Agiko said for diabetes Type 2 is caused by increased intake of alcohol, obesity and a high fat diet while Type 1 is genetic, often caused by environmental viral infections.
She added that symptoms such as weight and appetite loss, complaints of fatigue, nausea and vomiting may also appear.
Ms Angella Okullo, the hospital administrative officer and also senior medical personnel in charge of diabetes said the disease is claiming close to two per cent of the Teso population.
Awareness
She added that there is need to sensitise the people on the causes and symptoms of the disease so that they can respond by seeking medical tests and treatment early enough.
A patient who talked to this newspaper on condition of anonymity appealed to the government to prioritise the disease awareness campaigns especially among rural people.
