More clearer strategies needed to tackle diabetes

Health experts have called on the international community to develop clearer strategies to combat diabetes so that the disease can be tackled with the same vigour shown in the battle against Aids, malaria and tuberculosis (TB).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 75% of the world's diabetics will live in developing countries by 2025. Health authorities have also expressed serious concern over the increasing number of people seeking medical assistance for diabetes in West Africa.

The WHO is even more concerned over the fact that programmes for treatment have not expanded accordingly. The WHO estimates that an estimated seven million Africans currently have the disease, including 3.3 million West Africans.

The diabetic’s federation has also called for a new campaign to make Africans more aware of the risk of diabetes; and to make medication readily available.

The high cost of medicines means that the people with the disease often go untreated.