eBusiness Weekly
Dr Linda Haj Omar
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225.
It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. WDD is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries.
The World Diabetes Day campaign annually focuses on a dedicated theme that runs for one or more years. Therefore, the World Diabetes Day campaign aims to be the:
Platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue
Understanding diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin (the hormone that regulates blood glucose) produces.
Insulin is.
Diabetic patients are at more risk to have complications or health problems in the heart, blood vessel diseases, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
Furthermore, uncontrolled blood sugar could lead to foot and limb injuries and other complications.
Types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: is caused by a loss or malfunction of the insulin-producing cells, called pancreatic beta cells.
Damage to beta cells results in an absence or insufficient production of insulin produced by the body. Most cases of type 1 diabetes have an autoimmune basis, and the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys beta cells.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but the increase in the number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to effectively utilise insulin.
This long-term (chronic) condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.
Gestational Diabetes is a condition during pregnancy in which the body doesn’t use insulin properly, similar to type 2 diabetes
Prevention and control
Diabetes prevention and timely intervention are important in the primary care setting. It has been observed that a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can be treated, and its consequences avoided or delayed.
As advised maintaining of a healthy body weight is a key factor in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Doctors advise eating a healthy diet that avoids sugar and saturated fats and doing at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days.
It is also best to minimise alcohol intake and, avoid tobacco use as these factors increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, regular checking of blood pressure control and foot care (patient self-care by maintaining foot hygiene; wearing appropriate footwear; seeking professional care for ulcer management; and regular examination of feet by health professionals), are very important for early and timely prevention and control.
As well as screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness) and blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels); are highly recommended in screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease and treatment.
Diabetes Globally:
According to IDF, the worldwide diabetes figures are as follows:
537 million adults (1 in 10) were living with diabetes in 2021. This number is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.
Almost 1 in 2 adults (44 percent ) with diabetes remain undiagnosed (240 million). The majority have type 2 diabetes.
More than 3 in 4 people with diabetes live in low and middle-income countries.
541 million adults are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
More than 1.2 million children and adolescents (0-19 years) live with type 1 diabetes
Diabetes caused 6.7 million deaths in 2021.
Diabetes was responsible for at least US$966 billion in health expenditure in 2021— 9 percent of the global total spent on healthcare.
1 in 6 live births (21 million) are affected by high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) in pregnancy.
Diabetes in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, it is estimated that 10 in every 100 people have diabetes, and currently, diabetes statistics represent over 100 000 visits or consultations at outpatient departments per year.
Zimbabwe is one of the 48 countries of the IDF African region. 537 million people have diabetes in the world and 24 million people in the AFR Region; by 2045 it will be around 55 million.
Medlico Research and Training Centre works towards developing holistic and operational solutions to improve the quality of life and promote the health and well-being of the population and communities in Zimbabwe and Africa.
On that note, as part of our community corporate and social responsibility, we conduct a free series of awareness sessions (30 to 60 minutes) once a week for people who required more information and guidance about diabetes prevention and control.
Dr Linda Haj Omar is the CEO of Medlico Research & Training Centre. Medlico Research and Training Centre aims to enhance public health issues and community needs, through applying evidence-based research, capacity building and community engagement. For more feedback: Tel: (+263) 242 702326/7, WhatsApp: +263 777 553011/12, Email: [email protected]
