BY PATRICIA NAKAYIMA
The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has appealed to governments in Africa to prioritize investment in essential diabetes products, such as insulin, glucometers, and test strips.
Her appeal comes as the world on Monday marked World Diabetes Day under the theme “Access to diabetes care”, as it was last year, and will be again in 2023.
According to Dr. Moeti, investment in Diabetes care is critical to ensure equitable access for everyone living with diabetes, no matter where on the continent they are.
She has also challenged people to eat healthy and balanced diets, combined with regular exercise, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.
This she says will go a long way to protecting individuals from Type 2 diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases.
According to Africa diabetes statistics, 24 million adults are currently living with diabetes, with that number predicted to swell by 129% to 55 million by 2045.
Last year, over 416,000 people succumbed to Diabetes.
