WHO Warns of Alarming Diabetes Surge in Africa by 2045

• Nov 14, 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that, without urgent action, the number of people living with diabetes in Africa could rise to 54 million by 2045, marking the highest projected increase globally. Currently, over 24 million adults in the African region are affected by diabetes, with half remaining undiagnosed, according to WHO.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, highlighted this issue in her speech for World Diabetes Day 2024. She called for immediate and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by the rising prevalence of diabetes, a condition she referred to as a "silent killer." The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day, Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps, underscores the need for a united approach to tackle this health crisis.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes uncontrolled blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, and lower-limb amputations.

Moeti identified multiple drivers of the increasing diabetes rates in Africa, including urbanization, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. She noted that Africa has the lowest global investment in diabetes care, with only 1% of its health expenditure dedicated to the condition. Moreover, the region’s health systems are traditionally geared toward managing acute, infectious diseases, leaving chronic conditions like diabetes underfunded and underserved.

The WHO regional director emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach to managing diabetes. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, supporting mental health, and improving access to essential medicines. She also urged governments to invest in prevention strategies targeting risk factors like obesity and poor diets while fostering community support systems to reduce stigma and promote healthy living.

Moeti called on individuals to prioritize healthy lifestyles and undergo regular medical check-ups if they are living with diabetes. Communities can help by creating environments that encourage healthy habits, provide education, and ensure affordable access to diabetes care.

Governments were reassured of WHO’s support in implementing policies that enhance access to medicines, strengthen primary health care, and invest in prevention. Moeti stressed the need to address misconceptions about diabetes, improve health care worker training, and close gaps in primary health care systems.

"Together, let us commit to breaking barriers and creating lasting change for everyone in Africa affected by diabetes," Moeti concluded.