Infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS and poverty have traditionally dominated the African Region but diabetes has become a new priority. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
The main symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, needing to urinate more often than usual, and increased hunger. There are three different types of diabetes called type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Surveys carried out recently in the African Region indicate that up to 15% of adults aged 25 to 64 have diabetes. Diabetes is often a silent condition and a significant number of people are unaware that they have the disease.
Diabetic patients often lack access to proper treatment and diabetic medications, especially insulin, resulting in avoidable complications. Complications include neurological, vascular or visual disorders, heart disease, stroke, lower limb amputation, kidney failure and many other chronic conditions.
Diabetes in the Region is a serious, chronic and costly disease that is estimated to rise to 23.9 million cases by 2030. Diabetes risk factors include physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, tobacco use and consuming foodstuffs that are high in bad fats and calories.