At least 80% Cameroonians unaware of diabetes status – Health Minister.

The member of government made this known during a press briefing in Yaounde on November 14. 

This was on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day that was observed under the theme: “Access to Diabetes Care”.

Minister Manaouda used the occasion of the commemoration of World Diabetes Day to call for collective efforts among stakeholders to reduce the burden of diabetes on the quality of life.

According to the member of government “…Cameroon has around 2.5 million diabetes patients, with a prevalence varying between 6% and 8% in adults and children”.

He added that: “Unfortunately, at least 80% of the Cameroonian population is unaware of their diabetic status. It is therefore important to act and above all to act quickly and effectively”.

Dr Manaouda equally suggested the need for prevention, early diagnosis and education on healthy behaviours to bar the way to diabetes in the country. 

He called on parents to provide healthy feeding to children so as to avoid obesity, and increase in sugar levels that leads to diabetes.

According to the health Minister, the challenges in the war against diabetes are still many. He notably talked of under-diagnosis of diabetes, the fight against modifiable risk factors be it physical inactivity which favours overweight and obesity, alcohol abuse and unhealthy diets. 

He said there is need to considerably reduce premature mortality and disability linked to diabetes, which has a major impact on the family and national economy.

“In Cameroon, diabetes is one of the four main non-communicable diseases that cause the greatest number of premature deaths and disabilities. Let's be aware of the danger and support the government in its prevention and control efforts,” Dr Manaouda disclosed.

The member of government during the presser called on Cameroonians to be aware of the danger lurking and support the government through its different actions to prevent and control the disease.

He called for systematic screening for diabetes from the age of 18, checking of blood sugar levels annually, regular sports, limiting excessive alcohol, limiting fat consumption, and the regular eating of fruits and vegetables.

According to the member of government, there exist some 11 clinics specialised in diabetes management, 664 staff trained in diabetes management, more than a thousand children enrolled in the clinics. 

Of this number, he said 718 of the children who are still being monitored and 137 are out of the project after they reached the age of 21.

In addition to these specialised clinics, which he said attest to the government's efforts to address the disease challenge, Dr Manaouda added that screening and management of diabetes is integrated into the primary healthcare basket of the government.

The recent updating of the minimum and complementary activity packages, which give integrated health centres the capacity to provide screening and follow-up for uncomplicated diabetes, he also said, add to the package of government. 

Health facilities, Dr Manaouda said, have also been provided with basic diagnostic equipment and glucometers with test strips to fight the disease. 

Worthy to note is the fact that, theWorld Diabetes Day seeks to emphasise the importance of knowing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in order to prevent or delay the condition.

It also focuses on the complications associated with diabetes, and the importance of having access to appropriate information and healthcare to ensure prompt treatment and care.