By Dr. Yonas Workineh
As World Health Organization (WHO) marks Diabetes Day On November 14, 2024 the UN health Organization raised an urgent alarm about the growing diabetes crisis in Africa, describing the condition as a “silent killer.”
The WHO’s warning comes as the number of people living with diabetes in Africa continues to soar, with over 24 million adults currently affected, half of whom are unaware of their condition.
If current trends persist, the prevalence of diabetes in Africa is expected to more than double by 2045, reaching a staggering 54 million cases.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,” calls for urgent and collective action to address the rising burden of diabetes and its associated complications.
The WHO emphasizes the need for equitable, comprehensive, affordable, and quality care for all people living with diabetes.
With this theme, the WHO reiterates its commitment to reducing diabetes risk and ensuring that access to care is not hindered by barriers such as financial constraints, lack of awareness, or insufficient healthcare infrastructure.
Diabetes and Its Complications
Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, either due to insufficient insulin production or the body’s inability to effectively use the insulin produced.
If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to a host of severe life-threatening complications that affect nearly every organ system in the body.
Complications of diabetes include:
Cardiovascular Disease:
People with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, due to damage to blood vessels and high blood pressure.
Kidney Failure (Diabetic Nephropathy):
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the kidneys’ filtering system, leading to kidney failure, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy):
High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to numbness, pain, and, in severe cases, amputations due to loss of sensation in the feet and hands.
Retinopathy and Blindness:
Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision problems, diabetic retinopathy, and even blindness.
Lower-Limb Amputations:
Poor circulation and nerve damage increase the risk of infections and ulcers, which can ultimately lead to amputations, particularly in the lower limbs.
Mental Health Challenges:
The ongoing management of diabetes can contribute to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression, further complicating the disease.
These complications can severely affect the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes and place a heavy burden on health systems and economies.
In many cases, these complications can be prevented or delayed with proper diabetes management, early diagnosis, and regular monitoring.
The Rising Diabetes Burden in Africa
The WHO highlights that the African region is facing the highest projected increase in diabetes globally, with the number of cases expected to surge by 2045.
This rising tide of diabetes represents not only a significant health burden but also a growing economic challenge, as individuals and families face catastrophic out-of-pocket spending to manage the disease.
Despite this urgent need, Africa faces a severe shortfall in investment for diabetes care.
The region allocates only 1% of its health expenditure to diabetes management, the lowest rate globally.
Furthermore, many African health systems are still primarily focused on combating infectious diseases, leaving chronic conditions like diabetes under-prioritized.
WHO’s Call for Action: “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”
In response to these challenges, the WHO is emphasizing a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to diabetes care, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and accessible treatment.
WHO’s African region is committed to addressing diabetes through holistic solutions, including improving nutrition, providing access to essential medicines, and offering mental health support.
Prevention efforts will target key risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity, while also seeking to reduce the stigma surrounding diabetes.
At the WHO Regional Committee’s Seventy-fourth session in August 2024, African Member States endorsed the Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) in Africa.
This framework outlines strategies to integrate diabetes care into broader health systems, emphasizing primary healthcare.
By strengthening prevention, diagnosis, and treatment at the community level, the GDC aims to reduce the burden of diabetes across the continent.
A Call for Immediate Action
On this World Diabetes Day, the WHO is calling on individuals, communities, governments, and healthcare providers to take immediate action.
For individuals, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups is crucial, especially for those already diagnosed with diabetes.
Communities can play a vital role by creating supportive environments that promote healthy living, reduce stigma, and increase access to affordable care and education.
Governments, the WHO urges, must invest in policies that ensure access to essential medicines, strengthen primary healthcare systems, and enhance efforts to prevent and manage diabetes.
Key challenges to overcome include the widespread myths and misconceptions about diabetes, fragile health systems, and the need for more training for healthcare workers to manage chronic conditions effectively.
The fight against diabetes in Africa requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society.
By breaking down barriers and bridging gaps in diabetes care, we can create lasting change and ensure that millions of Africans living with diabetes receive the support and care they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Let us act now to confront this growing health crisis and work together to improve the future of diabetes care in Africa.