The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for more investment in early detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made the call in statement to mark the World Diabetes Day.
This is even as 18.3% of COVID-19 deaths in the African region are among people with diabetes and with around 60% of people living with diabetes undiagnosed, the African region has the highest proportion of people unaware of their status.
“Far too many people are in the dark as to whether they have diabetes. People with this chronic condition suffer a double blow if they are also infected with COVID-1.
“We must turn this around by investing in early detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes,” Dr Moeti, said.
She further insisted that: “We must not lose sight of other health challenges as we combat COVID-19. World Diabetes Day is a key moment to call attention to this chronic illness, which is increasingly threatening the lives of Africans.”
The statement revealed that WHO analysis of 14 African countries, which provided information on COVID-19 and comorbidities, showed that the risk of complications or death from COVID-19 among people with diabetes increases with age, with people aged 60 years and above facing greater risks.
Diabetes, the statement said, is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation, but with early diagnosis and treatment, many of the harmful effects of the disease can be delayed or even avoided.
The statement further revealed that at the onset and the peak months of the COVID-19 pandemic, health services for diabetes were particularly disrupted.
Only about a third of reporting countries in a WHO survey of 41 countries in sub-Saharan Africa indicated that services were fully functional.
“In many African countries, access to basic equipment for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes is a challenge, especially in public and remote health facilities.
“There are also limited supplies of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic medicines for diabetes on the continent, while health workers are not sufficiently trained in diabetes diagnosis and care for patients.
“The African region is also witnessing a rise in diabetes risk factors such as obesity.
“Increasingly sedentary lifestyle and consuming foods rich in sugar, fats and salt is heightening obesity, ranging from 2.5% of adults in Burundi to 26.9 % in Seychelles,” the statement said.
