Concerted effort needed to curb steady rise in diabetes cases — Splenda Ghana

The rising cases of diabetes in Ghana are becoming alarming and require a multi-faceted approach to curb it.

The approach should include an increase in awareness creation, education about the impact of the disease and also encouraging behavioural change.

The Managing Director (MD) of Splenda Ghana, Mrs Maabena Webb, described as unfortunate, the current situation of the steady rise of diabetes and emphasised the need to curb it.

“Diabetes is a chronic disease that has a lasting effect on the human body by weakening all its organs.

It is characterised by high levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar) with symptoms such as feeling very thirsty, frequent urination, blurred vision, feeling tired and losing weight unintentionally.

“It is a very dangerous disease but unfortunately, it is also on a steady rise in Ghana and we all have to play our part to curb it,” she said.

Mrs Webb, who is also a member of the Blue Circle Voices Network, an International Diabetes Federation (IDF) advocacy group, expressed the concern during a series of donation exercises by her company to commemorate World Diabetes Day 2024. 

Diabetes

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises diabetes as a major disease that leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

Research indicates that diabetes remains one of the major global health challenges in developing countries such as Ghana. WHO further states that 24 million adults are living with diabetes in Africa, and the number is expected to rise by 129 per cent to 55 million by 2045.

It is also noted to be among the leading non-communicable diseases causing about 45 per cent of deaths in Africa. Analysing all these means there is a need for the government, institutions, organisations, local groups and individuals to take action in curbing the rise of diabetes in Africa, especially Ghana.

Activities

In commemorating this year’s World Diabetes Day and also as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote healthy living, Splenda Ghana organised a number of activities to raise awareness and educate the public about diabetes.

Focused on the theme ‘Diabetes and Well-Being’, the company donated some of its products, (Splenda Sweeteners) to 10 selected diabetic health facilities in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions.

This is the second time Splenda Ghana has donated its products to support the fight against diabetes.

The facilities include the Eastern Regional Hospital, the SDA Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital in Koforidua, Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Mampong, and the Community Hospital in Kukurantumi, all in the Eastern Region.

In Greater Accra, the company donated to the Mamprobi Hospital, Lapaz Community Hospital, Kaneshie Polyclinic, Maamobi General Hospital, and Ashaiman Polyclinic.

The company further partnered the National Sports for All Association Ghana (NASFAAG) in the Greater and Eastern regions to organise a health walk, which was aimed at creating awareness. 

Heed instructions

In her interactions with patients present at the health facilities, Mrs Webb advised all to eat healthy foods, engage in regular physical activities and also pay attention to instructions given to them by their healthcare professionals to help them live healthy lives.

She stressed the fact that most people did not pay attention to instructions given by healthcare professionals, which could be dangerous in their health care. 

“Diabetes is killing us slowly. It affects and destroys all the organs in our bodies.

We can only fight this dangerous disease by taking good care of ourselves. Let’s pay attention to what our health professionals instruct us to do and not to do for our own good.”

Receiving the items, representatives of the health facilities expressed their appreciation to Splenda Ghana for the kind gesture.

They pleaded for further support by providing the facilities with devices to enhance their services to diabetic patients.