By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Africa joins in marking the 2024 Diabetes Day, WDD, the World Health Organization, WHO, has bemoaned Africa’s only 1% funding on diabetes care amid a projected rise of 54 million people battling this “silent killer” by 2045.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, made this known in a message to mark the WDD, in Africa and Nigeria.
Moeti stated that more than 24 million adults have diabetes, and a projected 54 million patients by 2045, the highest projected increase globally, but Africa has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care worldwide at only 1% of the region’s health expenditure.
She said, “Compounding the challenge is that Africa has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care worldwide, at only 1% of the region’s health expenditure.
“This poses a significant dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic spending by individuals to control their disease.”
According to WHO, the rising prevalence of diabetes in Africa is caused by multiple drivers such as urbanization, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, emphasizing a collaborative commitment to reducing risk, and ensuring that everyone diagnosed with diabetes has access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.
“Diabetes, a chronic lifelong disease that leads to uncontrolled blood sugar levels because the body can no longer produce or use the insulin it produces efficiently.”
“If left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and eye disease that can result in blindness.”
“Equally crucial are comprehensive prevention strategies to address risk factors including obesity, poor diet and physical activity, combined with community engagement to ensure good support systems and reduced stigma.”
World Diabetes Day is marked annually by the international community on 14 November, with this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”.
Meanwhile, WHO has called on countries to strengthen o
diabetes control in the African region by taking steps to address key gaps, boarding on myths and misconceptions about diabetes, fragile primary health care systems and insufficient capacity and training of health care workers.
Moeti has urged individuals, communities, governments, health workers, policymakers and civil society organizations to join hands and act now.
For individuals, prioritize healthy lifestyle, and if you’re already living with diabetes, have regular medical check-ups, she counseled.
Daybreak reports that World Diabetes Day is marked annually by the international community on 14 November. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”.
