Context
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the number of diabetes cases in Africa is predicted to rise to 55 million by 2045, an increase of 134% from 2021.
About Diabetes
- Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar.
- Diabetes is a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
- Insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by Pancreas which helps in maintaining normal blood glucose levels by facilitating cellular glucose uptake, regulating carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and promoting cell division and growth.
- The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into our cells to be stored or used for energy.
- With diabetes, our body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.
- Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.
There are a few different types of diabetes-
- Type 1 diabetes: Also known as juvenile diabetes, it is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.
- Type 2 diabetes: It occurs when our body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in the blood.
- Prediabetes: It occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes: It is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.
Related Initiatives
- The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Diabetes Compact, which has the vision of reducing the risk of diabetes, and ensuring that all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, and quality treatment and care.
- India’s National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Target is to prevent the rise in obesity and diabetes prevalence.
- Launched in 2010, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) aims to provide support for diagnosis and cost-effective treatment at various levels of health care.
