The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to tackle the growing burden of diabetes in Africa.
The World Diabetes Day 2024 theme World Diabetes Day, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,” highlights the importance of addressing the gaps in diabetes care and ensuring that everyone diagnosed with diabetes has access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, and quality treatment and care.
According to WHO, more than 24 million adults in the African region are currently living with diabetes, with half of them remaining undiagnosed. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and eye disease that can result in blindness.
Dr. Moeti warned that without urgent interventions, the number of people living with diabetes in the African region is projected to rise to 54 million by 2045, posing a…