.Figure to hit 54m by 2045
.Lagos poised to break barriers on awareness, prevention
By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja and IBRAHIM QUADRI
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm over the rapid spread of diabetes, saying, in the WHO African Region alone, more than 24 million adults are currently living with diabetes, half of whom remain undiagnosed.
It warned that, if left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and eye disease that can result in blindness.
The message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti at this year’s World Diabetes Day, said without urgent interventions, predictions are that the number of people living with diabetes in the African Region will rise to 54 million by 2045, the highest projected increase globally.
According to her, this poses a significant dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic spending by individuals to control their disease.
The regional Director noted that: “Compounding the challenge is that Africa has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care worldwide, at only 1% of the region’s health expenditure.
“Health systems are also traditionally designed to deal with acute, infectious diseases, without sufficient attention paid to chronic diseases like diabetes.
“Managing diabetes requires a sustained effort to balance physical health activity, healthy diet, mental well-being, and WHO in the African Region is committed to holistic solutions, including proper nutrition, access to the requisite essential medicines, and mental health support.
“Equally crucial are 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.
“In an important step forward at the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August this year, African Member States endorsed WHO’s Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) in Africa. Focused specifically on the challenge of integrating diabetes care into broader health systems in a multi-sectoral approach, it provides a roadmap for countries to strengthen diabetes prevention, diagnosis and care, especially at primary health care level”.
She urged individuals, communities, governments, health workers, policymakers and civil society organizations to join hands and act now.
The Regional Director said: “For individuals, prioritize healthy lifestyle, and if you’re already living with diabetes, have regular medical check-ups.
“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.
“Strengthening diabetes control in the African region demands that we address key gaps, including myths and misconceptions about diabetes, fragile primary health care systems and insufficient capacity and training of health care 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”.
She against a background of rising diabetes prevalence in Africa, complicated by multiple drivers including urbanization, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, the theme of World Diabetes Day 2024 appropriately emphasizes the imperative of a collaborative approach to this “silent killer”.
World Diabetes Day is marked annually by the international community on 14 November, with this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”, underlining World Health Organization’s (WHO) commitment to reducing risk, and ensuring that everyone diagnosed with diabetes has access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.
Diabetes, a chronic lifelong disease that leads to uncontrolled blood sugar levels because the body can no longer produce or use the insulin it produces efficiently.
Lagos poised to break barriers on awareness, prevention
However, as the world marks World Diabetes Day, the Lagos State Government on Thursday, November 14, gave assurance in breaking barriers and bridge the gaps in diabetes awareness and prevention, saying empowering people with knowledge on managing their health is a key aspect of conquering the disease.
The state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Health Matters Incorporated, organized a Global Diabetes Walk and Free Diabetes Screening Exercise at the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa.
Participants walked through the Secretariat complex to raise awareness of diabetes and its impact on well-being. Public servants were also offered free diabetes screenings to identify potential risks early.
The event, themed “Diabetes and Well-being,” aimed to increase awareness and access to diabetes screening among Lagosians, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes in diabetes prevention.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, highlighted the government’s commitment to reducing diabetes prevalence through awareness and proactive health screenings. “We are here today to break barriers and bridge the gaps in diabetes awareness and prevention. Diabetes is a condition we can fight and overcome if we address the issues and factors that predispose people to it. While some risk factors are beyond our control, like genetics and age, others can be modified. That’s where our focus lies—empowering people with knowledge on managing their health.”
Dr. Ogboye, represented by Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, Director of Disease Control, stressed the role of healthy choices, regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and alcohol to reduce diabetes risk. “But before you can manage it, you need to know your numbers,” he noted.
“We want people to understand that healthier choices, regular physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can significantly reduce their risk. But before you can manage it, you need to know your numbers—your blood glucose and blood pressure levels. Today, we are making it easy for everyone to know those numbers.”
The Permanent Secretary announced a partnership with the Nigeria Governors Forum to provide free diabetes and hypertension screenings in 330 public health facilities across Lagos. “This initiative ensures every Lagosian has access to early detection and can take steps toward a healthier life.”, he said.
He urged everyone to participate in the free screenings and spread the word within their communities. “We want to prevent diabetes before it becomes a crisis. This initiative will help individuals catch any warning signs early on, enabling them to make informed decisions for their health. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to walk, eat healthily, and stay active.”
Ogboye also shed light on the importance of understanding modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. “While family history and age are fixed, many other risk factors are within our control,” he said. “Regular exercise, even brisk walking five days a week, a balanced diet rich in vegetables and lean proteins, and avoiding tobacco are all ways to reduce the risk. This is about making simple but effective changes that benefit everyone—ourselves, our families, and our communities.”, he said.
Health Matters Incorporated’s Executive Director, Dr. Peter Ujomu, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to deepen our work with the state government this year. Our aim is to reach communities across Lagos with screenings, education, and resources.”
Ujomu revealed that, in collaboration with the Health Strategy Development Foundation (HSDF), Health Matters Incorporated would continue the diabetes awareness campaign beyond today. “This project spans 50 primary healthcare centers in 13 local government areas, where residents can receive free screenings and referrals as needed. It’s all about getting the community engaged and informed.”
He encouraged everyone present to share the message within their networks. “Help us spread the word about the dangers of diabetes and the importance of regular screenings. Prevention is better than cure, and we want every Lagosian to live a healthier, longer life.”
