By: Mariama Njie
Karamba Keita, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, has disclosed that, over 425 Million people are currently living with diabetes, noting diabetes was responsible for four million deaths in 2017.
He made these remarks on Thursday at the commemoration of World Diabetes day, organized by Gambia Diabetes Association in collaboration with Ministry of Health, held at Gamtel Monument,
PS Keita also pointed out that, each year a campaign theme is chosen and this year’s theme is “Family and Diabetes”.
He explained that the campaign will raise awareness on the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected, promote the role of the family in the management and education of diabetes.
According to him, all families are potentially affected by Diabetes and so awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors for all types of diabetes are vital to help detect it early.
He pointed out that, diabetes imposes life-long demands on those living with diabetes and their families who have to make a multitude of decisions related to managing diabetes.
Bakary Jawo, speaking on behalf of KMC Mayor said World Diabetes Day is commemorated across the globe on the 14th of November each year, noting that this day is created in response to the growing concerns about the escalating health threats posed by diabetes.
He said that the objectives of this commemoration is to advocate for policies and programs in support of diabetes prevention control, to also raise awareness on diabetes, to promote actions and to encourage early diagnoses.
Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO representative to The Gambia, said diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the organ producing insulin does not produce enough or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produce.
According to him, in 2016, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes, adding that another 2.2 million deaths were attributable to high blood glucose in 2012.
“The pictures in the Gambian looks similar, where according to the 2018 WHO report on the Gambia, about 9% of adults aged 18years and above have diabetes”, he revealed
