I Understand My Body More Than Some Doctors” – Jide Kosoko Opens Up on 30-Year Diabetes Battle
Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has revealed that he has lived with diabetes for three decades, explaining how he has kept the condition under control and urging fellow actors and Nigerians to take regular medical check-ups seriously.
The 72-year-old made the disclosure during an interview on the Africa A-List podcast, saying he was diagnosed in 1996 and has been managing the condition ever since. According to him, the long experience has taught him to read his body closely. He said he understands his health better than some doctors and knows when to take action or when to take his medication, though he was quick to add that he does not claim to know everything because he does not want to die.
Kosoko said his daily activities have helped his health greatly, and that living with diabetes has made him take routine medical tests seriously. He recently underwent a colonoscopy to check for any trace of cancer, a procedure he said is done every five years and requires the patient to be put to sleep. He admitted that the experience was frightening, claiming he almost died during it.
The actor also stressed that staying healthy does not necessarily require a lot of money but depends on following basic health guidelines, including avoiding alcohol and cannabis. He advised Nigerians to set aside a portion of their earnings for their health, saying that 20 per cent of whatever a person makes is not too much to spend on taking care of themselves. He also recommended routine tests from the age of 40 upward, noting that they can uncover hidden conditions before they become serious.
Kosoko further revealed that his experience with diabetes and the colonoscopy has inspired him to consider setting up a foundation to help less privileged colleagues pay for medical tests.
During the same interview, he addressed criticism over his attendance at social events while one of his colleagues was ill. He questioned why going to a party should suggest he is unconcerned about others, pointing out that he too has his own health challenges.
