Namibia joined the remainder of the world in commemorating World Diabetes Day on 14 November underneath the theme “Entry to diabetes care” which spotlight the significance of prevention and response efforts.
In 2021, globally over 537 million adults (20-79 years) have been dwelling with diabetes, which is 1 in 10 folks having diabetes. Diabetes was chargeable for 6.7 million deaths in the identical yr, translating to 1 diabetes dying in each 5 seconds. In Africa, 1 in 22 adults (24 million) adults reside with diabetes and that is predicted to double to 55 million by 2045. Final yr, diabetes was chargeable for 416,000 deaths in Africa and is forecasted to develop into one of many main causes of dying in Africa by 2030.
Based on the Namibia Demographic Well being Survey (2013), six % of girls and seven % of males are diabetic. A further 7 % of girls and 6 % of males are prediabetic. Diabetes was chargeable for 4% of deaths in Namibia in 2016.
Honorable Dr Esther Muinjangue, Deputy Minister of Well being and Social Companies mentioned that in Namibia an individual dwelling in city areas is twice prone to endure from diabetes in comparison with somebody dwelling in rural areas. She additional mentioned that Diabetes is ‘the is a number one explanation for progressive morbidity and early mortality worldwide’. She known as upon the federal government and companions to proceed to have dialogues on how greatest to deal with diabetes care and schooling to make sure higher well being care for everybody.
The WHO Consultant to Namibia, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses referred to the identified modifiable threat components of diabetes similar to obese and weight problems, sedentary existence, unhealthy diets, smoking and alcohol abuse. He acknowledged that sadly, these modifiable threat components are on the rise in Namibia the place: 20% are people who smoke, 36% have raised blood strain, 9.5% are overweight, 31.8 % are reported bodily inactive and eat 10,8 liters of pure alcohol per particular person per yr. He acknowledged the nation’s efforts to deal with these threat components by the Multi-Sectoral Technique for the prevention and management of non-communicable ailments (NCDs). He acknowledged the restricted sources through which this Technique is being carried out and subsequently the restrictions that impacts efficient and environment friendly promotion, preventive, and healing companies for NCDs together with diabetes.
Dr Sagoe-Moses warned that diabetes, if left unchecked, and with out administration and life-style modifications, can result in a number of debilitating problems together with coronary heart assault, stroke, kidney failure, decrease limb amputation, visible impairment, blindness, and nerve harm. He additional mentioned that folks with diabetes are at increased threat for extreme COVID-19 signs and deaths.
‘Right this moment, as we mark World Diabetes Day, I wish to take this chance to attraction to the federal government of Namibia to prioritize funding in important merchandise, similar to insulin, glucometers and check strips. That is crucial to make sure equitable accessibility for everybody dwelling with diabetes, irrespective of the place they reside’, Dr Sagoe-Moses mentioned. He assured WHO’s full help ‘to the requisite coaching of well being staff within the prevention and administration of NCDs at district and neighborhood stage, to enhance availability of important companies’ for diabetes care.
