By Albert Allotey
Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for the urgent need to for a comprehensive approach to managing diabetes, which has become a growing health crisis in countries, including Ghana.
The CSOs include the Ghana NCD Alliance, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, and Generational Growth Foundation.
They made the call in a joint release signed by Mr Labram Musah, the National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance and copied to the Ghana News Agency as they joined in the commemoration of the World Diabetes Day 2024.
They advocated for effective policies that ensured that people living with diabetes received the needed healthcare, including affordable but quality essential medicine, while urging for
intensification of awareness creation of the condition’s health, economic and social impact on individuals and communities.
The World Diabetes Day is commemorated annually on November 14, and serves as a crucial platform for advocacy, education, and action against diabetes.
This year’s campaign, which runs through 2024-2026, is centered on the theme: “Diabetes and Well-being,” focusing on three essential pillars: physical well-being, societal well-being, and mental well-being.
The CSOs underscored the need for regular physical activity and the adoption of healthy diets, saying; “These lifestyle choices are instrumental in reducing the risk of type ‘2’ diabetes and effectively managing all forms of the disease along with their associated complications.”
The release said; “As a nation, we must address these obstacles such as inadequate healthcare access and societal stigma to create a more supportive environment for all those affected by the condition.”
It stated that key findings from the Ghana STEP Survey on Diabetes indicate that 70.3 per cent of adults aged 18-69 have never had their blood glucose levels checked.
“Only 1.9 per cent of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes in the past twelve months. Regarding insulin medication, only 15.4 per cent of those diagnosed with diabetes are on it, and 34.6 per cent are on other prescribed medications.
“These statistics highlight the urgent need for increased diabetes screening and improved access to treatment in Ghana,” the released said.
It stated that an estimated 537 million adults aged 20–79 years are currently living with diabetes, adding; “This represents 10.5 per cent of the world’s population in this age group. According to WHO’s Global Diseases Compact, the total number is predicted to rise to 643 million (11.3 per cent) by 2030 and to 783 million (12.2 per cent) by 2045.
The release said the increasing prevalence of diabetes in Ghana was a major health concern, fueled by rising rates of obesity, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles, stating that according to the World Health Organisation, diabetes incidence in Ghana has surged by 21 per cent over the past decade.
“This upward trend calls for immediate and coordinated action to prevent further escalation of diabetes cases in the country. Access to essential healthcare services is another pressing issue, especially in rural areas where many Ghanaians lack the means to receive timely diabetes screenings and care,” it noted.
It pointed out that the absence of specialised healthcare facilities leads to late diagnoses and complications that could have been prevented with earlier intervention and that addressing these gaps were crucial to managing the diabetes crisis in Ghana.
The CSOs advocated a comprehensive education campaign to inform the public about lifestyle changes and empower them to make better healthcare decisions, thereby reducing the incidence and impact of diabetes across the country.
They said a holistic approach that considered mental health as part of diabetes management would be instrumental in improving the quality of life for those affected.
The release stated that strong policies that allocate resources for essential diabetes medications, testing supplies, and affordable access under the National Health Insurance Scheme would contribute significantly to reducing the disease burden.
The CSOs called on all stakeholders including government agencies, healthcare providers, and non-governmental organisations to come together to strengthen diabetes care in Ghana.
“Let us create an environment that supports healthy lifestyle choices, enables early diagnosis, and ensures effective management of diabetes, so that no Ghanaian is left behind,” they said.
World Diabetes Day is not just a reminder; it is a call to action for our nation to prioritise diabetes management and provide much-needed support for those affected. Together, we can build a healthier future for all, they urged.
GNA