Access to Diabetes Care
World Diabetes Day - WDD was recognised officially by the United Nations in 2006 with the passage of a resolution to this effect. Thus Emirates Nursing Association has celebrated WDD in collaboration with Roche on 14th of November to mark the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered the insulin hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922. And this; to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is “Access to Diabetes Care”. The theme encourages people to be aware of the diabetes mellitus set of metabolic disorders so that they can benefit from the education on disease and treatment, dietary changes, and exercise, with the goal of keeping both short-term and long-term blood glucose levels within acceptable bounds.
In the World Diabetes Day, WHO highlighted the need for equitable access to essential care, including raising awareness of ways people with diabetes can minimize their risk of complications. Activities also celebrate the experiences of people with all forms of diabetes to help those impacted to take action, including seeking and obtaining essential care.
Key facts about diabete, as per WHO, Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable through a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
Diabetes can be treated and its complications avoided or delayed with regular screening and treatment. Also, people with diabetes should seek regular screening for complications to aid in early detection. This includes screening for kidney disease, regular eye exams, and foot assessment. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30-40%.
Diabetes is associated with about twice the risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease and a higher risk of multidrug-resistant TB. People with both TB and diabetes are twice as likely to die during TB treatment and have twice the risk of TB relapse after treatment completion.
Only about 50% of people with type 2 diabetes get the insulin they need, often because their country’s health systems cannot afford it.
An ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of cure
"Prevention is Better than Cure"
WHO aims to stimulate and support the adoption of effective measures for the surveillance, prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To this end, WHO:
provides scientific guidelines for the prevention of major noncommunicable diseases including diabetes;
develops norms and standards for diabetes diagnosis and care;
builds awareness on the global epidemic of diabetes, marking World Diabetes Day (14 November); and
conducts surveillance of diabetes and its risk factors.
In April 2021 WHO launched the Global Diabetes Compact, a global initiative aiming for sustained improvements in diabetes prevention and care, with a particular focus on supporting low- and middle-income countries.
In May 2021, the World Health Assembly agreed a Resolution on strengthening prevention and control of diabetes. In May 2022 the World Health Assembly endorsed five global diabetes coverage and treatment targets to be achieved by 2030.