By Hannah Dadzie and Berlinda Kpetsi
The Ministry of Health, National Diabetes Association with support from WHO and other partners are championing the need for diabetes care to be made paramount, especially access to insulin.
The International Diabetes Federation reports that one hundred years after the discovery of insulin, millions of people with diabetes around the world cannot access the care they need and this is worrisome.
Speaking after a health walk to commemorate World Diabetes Day which is observed annually on November 14, the Programme Officer at the WHO in charge of non Communicable Diseases, Dr. Juana Ansong said people with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications.
World Diabetes Day was instituted in 1991 by the International Disease Federation and the World Health Organisation to respond to growing concerns over an alarming rise of diabetes cases. The day has since become a United Nations’ declared holiday, with UN Resolution 61/225 coming into effect in 2006.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of a condition that millions of people all around the world live with every day. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot produce enough insulin to control glucose levels. Therefore the Health Walk organized by the National Diabetes Association in collaboration.
with the Ministry of Health was to create awareness on the need for regular exercise to prevent and cure the disease. The walk started from Obra Spot through some principal streets in Accra and ended at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Vice President of the National Diabetes Association Ghana, Stephen Kwei Cofie said the disease has other dangerous complications which must not be overlooked and advised Ghanaians to check their diet, do routine exercise and go for check ups to avoid complications.
“Patients of diabetes should visit their doctor regularly at the appointed time. Exercise and eating healthy should be a habit. Eating should be at least 6 hours intervals. Some of the diabetes complications are that you might become blind, amputate, lose your kidney and even cardiovascular diseases”. Mr. Cofie said.
Programme Officer at the WHO in charge of non-communicable diseases, Dr. Juana Ansong said access to diabetes care has become a challenge. This she emphasised must be tackled holistically.
“Parents should inculcate the habit of sending their children out to engage in outdoor activities which will prevent childhood obesity which is a factor that contributes to diabetes,” Dr. Ansong said
This year’s world diabetes day celebration is on the theme “Access to Diabetes Care”.
