The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning about the growing diabetes epidemic in Africa, projecting that the number of cases could rise to 54 million by 2045. This would mark the highest increase globally if immediate interventions are not implemented.
Currently, over 24 million adults in the African region live with diabetes, but half remain undiagnosed, according to WHO. Untreated diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, amputations, and blindness.
Call for Immediate Action
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the urgent need for collective efforts during this year’s World Diabetes Day, themed “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”
“This poses a significant dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic spending by individuals to control their disease,” Moeti said, noting that Africa allocates only 1% of its health expenditure to diabetes care—the lowest rate worldwide.
Rising Prevalence: Contributing Factors
The surge in diabetes prevalence is driven by urbanization, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles. The disease requires ongoing management through a balance of physical activity, proper nutrition, and mental well-being, areas often neglected by health systems traditionally focused on acute infectious diseases.
Holistic Solutions for a Chronic Challenge
WHO is championing a comprehensive approach to address diabetes in Africa, emphasizing:
- Access to medicines: Ensuring equitable availability of essential treatments.
- Health system strengthening: Building robust primary healthcare systems and training healthcare workers.
- Community engagement: Promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing stigma, and fostering supportive environments.
- Policy support: Encouraging governments to implement frameworks like the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC), endorsed at the Seventy-fourth WHO Regional Committee for Africa session in August.
Governments and Communities: A Shared Responsibility
Moeti called for government policies that prioritize diabetes prevention and care, including stronger investment in primary healthcare and addressing myths and misconceptions about the disease. Communities, meanwhile, are urged to support healthy living initiatives and ensure affordable access to care and education.
The Path Forward
With the theme of World Diabetes Day 2024 underscoring the importance of collaboration, WHO remains committed to reducing risks, ensuring equitable treatment, and integrating diabetes care into broader health systems.
“The challenge of diabetes in Africa demands urgent, sustained, and united action,” Moeti concluded, urging stakeholders at all levels to work towards holistic prevention and care strategies.
