Approximately 24.6 million adults aged 20 to 79 are currently living with diabetes across the African continent in 2024, with that total anticipated to climb to 59.5 million by the year 2050, according to fresh figures from the World Health Organisation.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, shared these projections in an address marking World Diabetes Day 2026, which focused on the theme 'Early Action on Diabetes.' Janabi noted that while the metabolic condition continuously threatens the wellbeing and economic stability of numerous households, a substantial portion of the affected population remains completely oblivious to their status until severe medical complications set in.
Data from the International Diabetes Federation indicates that close to 75% of adults managing diabetes in Africa have not received a formal diagnosis, representing the highest rate of undiagnosed cases anywhere in the world. This diagnostic gap leaves millions highly vulnerable to severe health outcomes such as renal failure, visual impairment, heart diseases, and amputations affecting the lower limbs.
"Early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent complications, reduce suffering and save lives," Janabi stated.
What steps are being taken to combat the surge?
To address these growing concerns, the WHO leadership has appealed to citizens, local communities, public administrators, medical professionals, and international stakeholders to elevate public awareness, encourage prompt testing, and guarantee unhindered access to affordable, high-standard management therapies.
Citizens have been advised to stay vigilant regarding common physical indicators, which include excessive thirst, frequent trips to the restroom, sudden unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue, and failing eyesight, with medical experts advising immediate consultation upon noticing these symptoms.
Furthermore, Janabi called upon community leaders to actively disseminate correct health education and eradicate social stigma associated with chronic illnesses. He also directed medical practitioners to prioritize swift symptom identification and deliver empathetic, patient-oriented interventions during every clinical interaction.
How is international support structured?
Highlighting ongoing interventions, Janabi pointed out that the global health agency and its collaborators are actively assisting member states through specialized frameworks like the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Diseases (WHO PEN), alongside cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes management strategies known as HEARTS and HEARTS-D, and the PEN-Plus regional approach designed to tackle severe non-communicable diseases at primary healthcare facilities.
While praising nations like Rwanda for successfully expanding PEN-Plus coverage to districts nationwide, the regional director admitted that critical shortcomings persist regarding the availability of specialized medical personnel, diagnostic equipment, vital pharmaceuticals, and uninterrupted healthcare services.
In conclusion, the global health body urged national governments to firmly integrate diabetes screening, preventative measures, and long-term therapeutic care into broader primary healthcare systems and universal health coverage initiatives, demanding dedicated financial commitments toward affordable insulin supplies, diagnostic tools, and resilient health infrastructure.