Nigerian food company Medela Numen Ventures unveils product range designed to combat diabetes

NIGERIAN food processing firm Medela Numen Ventures has come up with a locally processed range of products manufactured to combat diabetes and reduce the debilitating impact of the ailment on patients.

According to a 2008 study, the World health Organisation estimates that about 1.7m Nigerians were living with diabetes, while another report put the number at 4m in 2014. An analysis of 42 studies done on diabetes in Nigeria between 1985 and 2016 published in October 2017, found that about 4.7m Nigerians aged between 20 and 79 years had Type Two diabetes.

It is believed that Nigeria has the highest instances of diabetes of any nation in sub-Saharan Africa but the country does not have any official records. To address the problem. Medela Numen Ventures has introduced a locally processed range manufactured to help stabilise the health status of sufferers and reduce the effect of the chronic ailment.

Mberede Onuakpunwa, the company's managing director, said that the products were thoroughly researched and developed to help enhance the quality of life of people suffering from chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He added that the food range would ultimately reduce their dependence on drugs to treat their ailments.

Mr Onuakpunwa said: “People with chronic diseases like diabetes need to take their food habit very serious and take good nutritional foods by consuming products that are alternative to carbohydrate rich substances. Nutrimeal is the one you eat for lunch or dinner, while  Nutrifast is the one you take for breakfast, which helps individuals to lose weight, checkmate hunger and control diabetes."

Himself a diabetic patient, Onuakpunwa further stated that after witnessing what the disease had done to his close family members, he was prompted to engage in a deep study for the product. Nkechi Orji, the company’s sales manager added that the acceptance of the products in the southeast was amazing as it helps to improve the life expectancy of those currently battling with the life-changing disease diabetes.