643 Million People Estimated to Be Diagnosed With Diabetes By 2030

Statistics estimates that 643 million people across the globe will be diagnosed with Diabetes by the year 2030.

This will be a rise from 537 million adults in 2021 which translates into one-in-10 people. Meanwhile data shows that an individual dies of diabetes every seven seconds in the world.

Raising awareness about the disease on the commemoration of World Diabetes Day, the Ministry of Health said Diabetes has now become a disease of global concern.

In Ghana, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated to be 4.64%, meaning that 3 out of every 9 individuals are affected by the condition. At the same time, only 10% of diabetes cases are diagnosed early enough for appropriate medical care, leaving the remaining 90% to be detected after the death of the victim.

Another data worth pointing out is that about 70.3% of adults aged 18-69 years have never had their blood glucose levels checked.

In a statement, the Ministry highlighted some initiatives it has in pace for the prevention, early detection, treatment, and management of diabetes including the National Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes launched in 2023, Free Annual Health Check-Up by the National Health Insurance Scheme launched in July 2024 and Intensified public health education on diabetes and other non-communicable diseases through the Ghana Health Service’s Wellness Clinics and Diabetes Clinics across the country.

It called for assistance from stakeholders in organizing blood glucose screenings, community outreach events, media and public awareness campaigns on diabetes and healthy lifestyle while it urged the public to check their diet.

“The public is entreated to practice healthy lifestyle by eating healthy meals including fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol and tobacco use, reducing intake of highly processed foods, maintaining a healthy body weight, reducing stress levels, and regularly checking their blood sugar levels.

“Similarly, people living with diabetes must ensure that they take their prescribed medications daily, check their blood sugar levels regularly, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and go for their scheduled hospital reviews with their healthcare providers.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini