Afonchies Pharmaceutical Limited, a chain retail pharmacy in Ajah community and its environs, has commissioned a new ultra-modern outlet at 3, Hitech Road, Lagos Business District (LBS), area, Sangotedo, Lagos State, and as well as conducted free diabetes screening to the people of the community, to mark the 2019 World Diabetes Day.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated annually on 14 November and was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 1991 in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, in response to growing concerns about the escalating threats posed by diabetes.
Speaking with Pharmanews in an interview during the low-key event, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, managing director, Afonchies Pharma Nigeria Limited, said although the company usually run free health screening for residents of its environs, but this year’s screening was significant as it coincided with the unveiling of their latest outlet, and the commemoration of this year World Diabetes Day.
On what prompted the decision of the company to open the new outlet, which was the Eleventh branch, with other branches scattered across Ajah and its metropolis, the Afonchies Pharma boss said the company was determined to contribute to availability of affordable quality medicines to Nigerians, which informed his provision screening kits for free screening at each of his branches.
Speaking further, Afon explained that the free medical screening was organised to have an impact in the communities where his pharmacies are located and to celebrate this year World Diabetes Day, which aimed at raising public awareness and understanding of diabetes as one of the common diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.
According to him, “World Diabetes Day was first introduced in 1991 and founded by both the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in reaction to the rise in cases of Diabetes worldwide. It was decided to choose a day of the year to raise awareness on Diabetes and related causes and the day chosen was the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, a medical scientist who co-discovered Insulin and was the first person to use it on humans.
He explained that diabetes is not as a result of consuming sugar or sugary things, but rather, as a result of the body’s ability to handle glucose in the body, noting that the glucose comes from all the food we eat whether it is meat, carbohydrate, protein or fat; saying, in their normal forms, the body does not recognise them.
In her contribution, the pharmacist in-charge, Pharm (Dr) Angela Oyuonvo Evbodi, described the unveiling as part of the company’s expansion policy, adding that the success was achieved through efficient and innovative delivery of quality products and service that benefit the general public. She added that the company remains passionate in achieving its set vision.
While thanking Afonchies for organising the screening, one of the benefactors, Mrs Olusola Akinyele, expressed her delight about the programme, saying if other organisations around could embrace the good gesture, life would be better for all in the community and beyond.
Also speaking, another beneficiary, Mr Yaya Aminu, who happened to be a local security man commended Afonchies pharmacy for the programme, while urging them to extend the exercise beyond the period of World Diabetes Day.
