The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm over what it described as rising cases of Type 2 diabetes in the African region, revealing that the continent has experienced a six-fold increase, from four million in 1980 to 25 million in 2014.
The world health body said half of the people living with diabetes in Africa were unaware of the disease and were not receiving treatment.
Regional Director for Africa, WHO, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who disclosed the figures, added that about 90 per cent of diabetes was type 2, which if not properly managed, might cause blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation and other complications.
Moeti said, “Overweight and obesity are the strongest risk factors for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing complications of diabetes. Since diabetes can potentially strike any family, awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors is important to help detect it early.
“Having diabetes can also drain family finances when people with diabetes have to pay out of their own pockets for treatment. Disability or premature death, due to diabetes, can push families into poverty. Diabetes is also a huge burden on the health care system and the national economy.”
She noted that world leaders, in a bid to curb the menace, agreed to take responsibility for their countries to help prevent and treat non-communicable diseases, including diabetes.
Moeti explained that the leaders reiterated their commitment to implementing public education and awareness campaigns to empower individuals and families with information and education to prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes, and ensure that people had access to early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
”Governments should accelerate access to such services for everyone, through people-centred primary health care and universal health coverage,” she said.
She reaffirmed WHO’s continued support to governments to improve the prevention and control of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
“I urge everyone to eat healthy, be physically active and avoid excessive weight gain. Families can help to drive down diabetes through promoting healthy living,” she said.
