Dealing with diabetes: Collective action needed

Today is World Diabetes Day.

It is a day observed annually on November 14 to raise global awareness of the increasing diabetes burden and to stress the need for collective action to tackle the disease which is a global health concern.

The theme for this year’s celebration: “Bridging Barriers and Bridging Gaps”, underscores the importance of reducing the risk associated with the disease and ensuring improved diabetes treatment and care for people living with diabetes.

It also highlights the need to ensure that people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.

Diabetes is a chronic disorder in which the body fails to process and utilise glucose produced from food that people consume.

It is known to be caused by excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, sedentary lifestyle, consuming high-sugar, high-fat and high-salt foods, hypertension and high cholesterol, and the use of certain medications such as steroids, including issues relating to family history and genetics. 

The most common is type 2 diabetes, usually in adults, which occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not make enough insulin. Inadequate absorption of glucose can lead to cardiovascular issues, kidney damage, nerve damage, depression and dental problems, among others.

Common symptoms of diabetes may include dry mouth and increased thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, numbness in the hands or feet, slow healing cuts and sores, and frequent vaginal yeast or skin infections.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 422 million people across the globe are living with the disease which poses a significant threat to public health, world economies and affects the individual’s well-being.

About 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes every year. Despite these alarming figures, an estimated one in three persons living with diabetes remains undiagnosed, and up to half of those diagnosed do not meet their treatment targets.

The Daily Graphic is of the view that this gap in diagnosis and treatment highlights the urgent need for collective action from stakeholders to address the problem.

To address these challenges, five global diabetes coverage targets were developed following the 2021 World Health Assembly.

The aim is to reduce the risk of diabetes and move towards a world where all people diagnosed with the disease have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, quality treatment and care.

Quality treatment and care involves a holistic approach that addresses both the medical and personal needs of people living with diabetes.

It is a known fact that those suffering from diabetes face daily challenges in managing the condition at home and at the workplace. Aside from the mental and physical challenges that diabetes pose to the well-being of patients, there are issues relating to stigma and discrimination against people living with the disease.

Another problem is the misinformation and myth surrounding the disease which exacerbates the problem.

The Daily Graphic believes that more awareness is needed to dispel the misconception that diabetes is a personal failure instead of a management condition. The effective management of the disease is critical to keep patients healthy.

Addressing the needs of diabetic patients can transform their experience from one of isolation and fear to support and empowerment.

By focusing on what people with diabetes truly need to improve their quality of life, this year’s theme reinforces the message that diabetes is no longer an overwhelming burden but a condition that people can confidently manage.

To prevent the disease, the Daily Graphic is stressing the need for lifestyle changes to ensure that the individual eats a healthy, balanced diet; is physically active, manages stress and anxiety and has enough sleep.

Those on medication must also adhere to strict instructions from doctors to avoid complications.

There should also be more education on the disease, how to put it at bay, and more resources must be allocated by the government through health facilities and agencies, to fight the disease.

We must all join hands to win the fight against diabetes.