More than 24 million adults are currently living with diabetes in Africa, half of whom remain undiagnosed.
World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti has said if left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications.
These include heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and eye disease that can result in blindness.
In a statement as World Diabetes Day is being marked on Thursday, Moeti said without urgent interventions, it is predicted that the number of people living with diabetes in Africa will rise to 54 million by 2045, the highest projected increase globally.
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November each year.
The World Diabetes Day this year was marked under the theme, 'Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps'.
The theme underlines WHO’s commitment to reducing risk, and ensuring everyone diagnosed with diabetes has access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.
“Also compounding the challenge is that Africa has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care worldwide, at only one per cent of the region’s health expenditure,” Moeti said.
“This poses a significant dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic spending by individuals to control their disease.”
She said managing diabetes requires a sustained effort to balance physical health activity, healthy diet, and mental well-being.
Moeti said the WHO in Africa is committed to holistic solutions, including proper nutrition, access to the requisite essential medicines, and mental health support.
Moeti said it is crucial to invest in comprehensive prevention strategies to address risk factors including obesity, poor diet, and physical activity, combined with community engagement to ensure good support systems and reduced stigma.
“On this World Diabetes Day, I urge individuals, communities, governments, health workers, policymakers and civil society organisations to join hands and act now,” Moeti said.
“For individuals, prioritise a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re already living with diabetes, have regular medical check-ups,” she said.
She said communities can play their role by creating supportive environments that promote healthy living, reduce stigma, and provide access to affordable diabetes care and education.
“For governments, we commit our full support to your efforts to implement policies that enhance access to essential medicines, strengthen primary health care systems, and foreground investment in diabetes prevention and care,” she said.
Moeti emphasised the need to strengthen diabetes control in Africa by addressing key gaps, including myths and misconceptions about diabetes, fragile primary healthcare systems, and insufficient capacity and training of healthcare workers.
“Together, let us all commit to breaking down the barriers and addressing the gaps, by raising awareness, spreading knowledge, and creating lasting change for everyone in Africa affected by diabetes,” Moeti said.
According to WHO, the rising diabetes prevalence in Africa is complicated by multiple drivers including urbanisation, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.
The global health agency noted that the theme for the World Diabetes Day 2024 appropriately emphasises the imperative of a collaborative approach to this “silent killer”.
In Kenya, the prevalence of diabetes in 2024 is 3.87 per cent of the population, with a higher prevalence in men than in women.
