Diabetes, Overlooked and Unchecked, Poses New Risks in Africa
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Dr. Paulette Djeugoue is the sole diabetes specialist in northern Cameroon, serving patients from vast and remote areas, including neighboring countries Nigeria and Chad.
- Despite her efforts, only a small fraction of diabetes patients receive care, with an estimated 75% of people with diabetes in Cameroon unaware they have the disease, especially in poorer rural regions.
- Africa is experiencing a significant shift where noncommunicable diseases like diabetes pose as much risk of death as infectious diseases such as malaria.
- Historically, health systems in Cameroon and much of Africa have prioritized infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, but now efforts are underway to allocate resources and personnel to address diabetes.
- Integrating diabetes screening and treatment into primary care is becoming a key strategy to manage the growing burden of the disease across the continent.
