Today, November 14, 2014 the World Health Organization joins the rest of the international community in commemorating World Diabetes Day under the theme “Healthy Living and Diabetes”. This year, the theme underscores the importance of healthy eating in the prevention and control of diabetes.
Diabetes is a medical condition in which the person has high blood glucose (or blood sugar) either because of insufficient insulin production or because the body cells do not respond properly to insulin or both.
Diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is estimated that 347 million people globally have diabetes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 8 percent of the population above 25 years have diabetes.
Sadly, most people with diabetes in Africa are unaware of their condition and therefore do not seek treatment and care. Untreated, uncontrolled or poorly managed diabetes leads to serious complications such as heart attacks, kidney failure, stroke, lower limb amputations, visual impairment and blindness.
The growing problem of diabetes in our region is largely related to overweight and obesity, due to reduction in physical activity and adoption of unhealthy diets which are high in calories from fats and sugars, high in salt, and low in vegetables and fruits.
The prevention and control of diabetes requires multi-sectoral action beginning with the individual, the community and right up to the highest political level. We can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and the development and progression of its complications through healthy diets regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, avoiding tobacco use and monitoring blood-sugar levels.
I call upon all governments in the region to put the prevention and management of NCDs including diabetes high on the national development agenda and allocate adequate resources to ensure that measures are taken for the prevention, early diagnosis and proper case-management.
WHO will continue to provide technical support to member states for the prevention and control of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
Thank you