According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 24 million persons in Africa between the ages of 20 and 79 have diabetes. By 2050, this number is expected to more than quadruple to 60 million.
The Guardian says that about 12 million of these people, or half of this figure, have not yet been diagnosed and are silently facing higher risks of serious consequences, incapacity, and early death.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said this in a message today in Abuja to mark World Diabetes Day 2025. He said that Africa is seeing an unprecedented rise in diabetes because of a complicated mix of changing lifestyles, rising overweight and obesity, and limited access to preventive and primary health services.
He said that the size and speed of this development call for immediate and ongoing intervention.
Janabi said that diabetes can hurt the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves over time, which has a big effect on people, families, and communities. He also said that if this trend doesn’t change, it will put too much demand on health systems, hurt economies, and undo years of hard work to make progress.
He stressed that health systems must be strong, well-funded, and well-organized so that they can provide continuous care, from prevention and early diagnosis to effective treatment and lifelong support.
“This year, the topic for World Diabetes Day is ‘Diabetes Across Life Stages.’ No one is safe from diabetes. It affects kids, teens, adults, and elderly individuals, and each period of life has its own problems that need to be dealt with in a different way. He said, “The theme recognizes that care and prevention must last throughout life.”
Janabi remembered that in 2024, African Member States agreed to the Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in Africa. This showed that they were still committed to fair and complete care. Using this paradigm, countries like Ghana and Uganda are adding diabetes and heart disease services to their primary health care.
He said that the WHO helps countries adapt and use these frameworks for prevention and control. He also said that the WHO PEN package, which is now in use in 31 countries, and PEN-Plus, which is in use in 20 countries, are making it easier for people with chronic diseases to get good, cheap care at the primary care level. To keep things moving and fair, we need stable funding, dependable supply chains, and better referral and data systems.
If we catch it at the insulin-resistance stage, he continued, “we can stop it from getting worse and causing full-blown diabetes with vascular problems.” We have up to 15 years to keep diabetes under control. Regular exercise, a good diet, and the right medications can decrease the disease’s course and make life with diabetes much easier.
“This year’s campaign has one main goal: to give individuals with diabetes the tools they need to live well at every stage of life. It seeks to make sure that early diagnosis for kids and regular treatment help them grow and learn in a healthy way. Also, good management for women of childbearing age, before and during pregnancy, protects both the mother and the child.
“For adults who are working, we need to make sure that services are easy to get and cheap, and that workplaces are supportive. This will protect productivity and well-being. For older people, continued and compassionate care will help prevent complications and keep them independent.”
Janabi underlined how important it is to turn promises into real results. He said that countries need to improve governance, give more money to services for noncommunicable diseases, and make diabetes prevention and treatment a part of their national health and primary care programs. Policies that encourage healthy eating, exercise, and cutting down on harmful foods are very important for stopping new cases.
He also stressed how important it is to make sure that individuals can always have inexpensive drugs like insulin, important technologies, mental health help, and the skills they need to live with their conditions with dignity.
It is up to governments, health workers, civic society, communities, and individuals to change the direction of diabetes in Africa.
Janabi asked African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to providing excellent care and long-term support at every stage of life so that everyone with diabetes can live a healthy, dignified, and full life.
He also talked on how important it is to get rid of things that make it hard for people to get care and to make places that encourage healthy living.
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