The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with Diabetes and Hypertension Help Society (dhhs) have celebrated this year's World Diabetes Day at Jabi Park.

The event, which was graced by the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairman, Hon. (Dr.) Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo and his Abaji Area council counterpart conducted free hypertension and diabetes tests to drivers, passengers and traders at the park.

According to the assistant director, NOA, FCT directorate, Mr Moses Disa Aba, the objective of the celebration was to create awareness about hypertension and diabetes to the people of FCT.

He said they have collaborated with dhhs to offer free blood sugar level and blood pressure check, subsidise medication for those who suffer and cannot afford it and to advise, counsel and refer to experts, sufferers of these conditions.

Mr Aba, who called on FCT residents to take advantage of the opportunity offered them to turn out en masse to be tested, explained that, diabetes is persistent increase in blood sugar as a result of low usage of sugar/glucose in the body.

He further explained that though it is a manageable disease, "it is a killer disease that can damage all the organs of the body if not treated.

He identified the risk factors of diabetes as, obesity (overweight), lack of exercise, smoking, family history of diabetes and excessive alcohol intake, while identifying the symptoms as weakness, excessive urination, dizziness and blurring vision, loss of weight and constant thirst.