Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, revealed on Thursday that the number of people living with diabetes in the African region is expected to surge to 54 million by 2045. This represents the highest anticipated increase globally unless urgent measures are implemented. She highlighted this in her statement marking the 2024 World Diabetes Day, themed “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”
Diabetes is a lifelong chronic condition characterised by uncontrolled blood sugar levels, either due to the body’s inability to produce insulin or its ineffective use of the insulin it produces. Moeti highlighted that factors like urbanisation, poor dietary habits, and insufficient physical activity fuel the increasing rate of diabetes in Africa.
In the WHO African Region, more than 24 million adults currently have diabetes, with half remaining undiagnosed, according to her statement. If untreated, diabetes can result in severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, amputations, and blindness. She warned that without urgent action, the number of people living with diabetes in the African region is expected to soar to 54 million by 2045, marking the highest projected global increase.
This growth presents a significant dual burden, affecting both health and the economy, as individuals face devastating costs to manage the disease. The situation is further complicated by Africa’s minimal investment in diabetes care, with only 1% of the region’s health budget allocated to it. Health systems in the region are primarily designed to tackle acute infectious diseases, leaving chronic conditions like diabetes largely neglected.
Actions To Be Taken Against Diabetes
She highlighted that effectively managing diabetes involves maintaining a balance of regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and mental well-being. The WHO in the African Region is dedicated to comprehensive approaches, focusing on improving access to adequate nutrition, essential medications, and mental health services. She also underscored the need to tackle risk factors like obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and physical inactivity while promoting community engagement to establish support networks and combat stigma.
She noted that during the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August, African Member States endorsed the WHO Framework for Implementing the Global Diabetes Compact in Africa. This framework emphasises integrating diabetes care into broader health systems using a multi-sectoral approach, providing a roadmap for countries to improve diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Moeti called on individuals, communities, governments, health workers, policymakers, and civil society organisations to join forces and take action on World Diabetes Day. She encouraged individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and emphasised the importance of regular check-ups for those living with diabetes.
She added that communities play a vital role in creating supportive environments that promote healthy living, reduce stigma, and ensure access to affordable diabetes care and education. Furthermore, WHO is committed to supporting governments in developing policies to expand access to essential medicines, strengthen primary healthcare systems, and prioritise diabetes prevention and care.
Moeti concluded by stressing that enhancing diabetes management in Africa necessitates tackling critical challenges, such as dispelling myths and misconceptions about the disease, strengthening fragile primary healthcare systems, and improving the capacity and training of healthcare workers.
