Diabetes is an increasingly prevalent yet under-recognised health crisis in Africa, driven by demographic and socioeconomic transitions. In 2021, 24 million adults in the region were living with diabetes, and this figure is expected to increase by 129% by 2045.
Diabetes poses an increasingly serious health challenge in Africa. Currently, 25 million adults aged 20–79 are living with diabetes, and this figure is projected to increase by 142% to 60 million by 2050 — the highest regional increase worldwide. However, 73% of cases remain undiagnosed, and hea...lthcare spending is the lowest worldwide at just USD 10 billion (1% of global expenditure). In 2024, diabetes caused 216,000 deaths and had a significant impact on maternal health, affecting 1 in 7 births due to hyperglycaemia during pregnancy. Nigeria, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have the highest case loads. Without urgent intervention, the diabetes burden will continue to grow, putting further strain on already limited health systems.
more
Tanzania has an estimated 2.9 million adults with diabetes, 35% of whom are undiagnosed, and over 22,000 people living with type 1 diabetes. While the 2023 Universal Health Insurance law aims to improve access to care, only 15% of people are insured. Over 700 clinics provide diabetes care and offer ...free insulin to children and young adults. However, challenges remain regarding insulin availability, diagnostics, patient education and the healthcare workforce. Community engagement, training and policy advocacy are essential for improving diabetes management and achieving universal health coverage.
more
Diabetic retinopathy affects over one-third of people with diabetes and is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults. Without effective intervention, the number of people with diabetic retinopathy will increase as global diabetes prevalence rises. Management and screening for diabetic r...etinopathy should begin in primary healthcare, where providers play a key role in educating patients, arranging eye examinations and referring patients for treatment if necessary.
more
This brochure provides comprehensive information on type 2 diabetes, including its causes, symptoms, risk factors, how to prevent it, and how to manage it. It emphasises the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and taking medication as prescribed to control blood sugar levels. It provides... practical advice on diet and lifestyle changes, as well as foot care, and highlights the importance of regular check-ups and blood glucose monitoring. The guide also warns of potential complications such as low and high blood sugar levels and long-term organ damage, emphasising the importance of early detection and consistent care. It encourages education and community support, such as joining the Zimbabwe Diabetes Association, to help individuals with diabetes live healthy lives.
Accessed on 17/07/2025.
more
If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to a wide range of serious health complications. These include retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), neuropathy (nerve damage) and damage to blood vessels. This increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, foot ulcers, infections and amputa...tions. Early diagnosis and consistent management through medication, a healthy diet, regular exercise and routine check-ups are critical to preventing or delaying these complications. Improving outcomes and reducing the long-term impact of diabetes in low-resource settings requires patient education and community health support.
Accessed on 17/07/2025.
more
Tanzania Journal of Health Research Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v19i4.8 Volume 19, Number 4, October 2017;
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disorder and poses a growing public health concern in Tanzania, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like Morogoro. T...his cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of diabetes and its associated risk factors among 129 outpatients at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital.
more
Heliyon 2023 Oct 20;9(11):e21286. doi: 10.1016/heliyon.2023.e21286. This study conducted a systematic review of observational, community-based studies from 2013 to 2022, aiming to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and its associated risk factors within the adult East African population. Twenty...-one studies were analysed, revealing an overall prediabetes prevalence of 12.58%.
more
The Manual for Parasitological Surveillance in Prevention of Reintroduction or Re-establishment of Malaria in Sri Lanka (2019) provides guidelines to health professionals on how to conduct effective malaria surveillance to prevent the reintroduction of the disease in Sri Lanka, which was certified m...alaria-free in 2016.
The manual outlines strategies for active and passive case detection, laboratory diagnosis, case investigation, foci investigation, and follow-up measures. It emphasizes targeted screening of high-risk populations, including travelers and migrant workers, and explains the importance of prompt reporting, accurate parasitological confirmation, and coordination between healthcare levels. The overall goal is to maintain Sri Lanka’s malaria-free status by ensuring early detection and rapid response to any imported or locally suspected malaria cases.
more
The National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (NMESP) 2024–2028 of Ghana outlines the country’s roadmap to shift from malaria control to elimination. Despite major progress—like reducing malaria deaths from nearly 2,800 in 2012 to 151 in 2022—malaria remains a major public health challenge... in Ghana.
The plan aims to reduce malaria deaths by 90% and cases by 50% by 2028 (compared to 2022), and to eliminate malaria entirely in 21 low-burden districts. It includes a mix of interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, seasonal chemoprevention, malaria vaccination, and strong surveillance systems.
The strategy is tailored to the local malaria burden, promotes community engagement, relies on multisectoral partnerships, and ensures adequate resource mobilization. Its ultimate goal is to protect Ghana’s population, improve public health, and support the country’s socioeconomic development.
more
The National Strategic Plan on Malaria Prevention and Elimination Period 2021 – 2025 seeks to build on the previous national successes of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (NIMPE) while addressing current challenges to reduce the overall burden of malaria in the S...outhern and Central provinces and to initiate elimination activities in remaining focal areas of transmission throughout the country. The overall targets proposed to be reached by 2025 are:
Reduce malaria morbidity rate to below 0.015/1,000 population
Reduce malaria mortality rate to below 0.002/100,000 population
Eliminate malaria in 55 provinces
Ensure no malaria outbreaks
To address the urgent threat of drug resistance, Viet Nam has committed to accelerate efforts to eliminate locally-acquired P. falciparum by 2023.
more
La presente “Pautas de tratamiento en casos de malaria en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela” es un esfuerzo del Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud (MPPS), con el apoyo de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud / Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS / OMS). En su elaboración ha...n participado expertos en malaria de las sociedades médicas, de los principales hospitales nacionales y estatales, quienes durante meses han realizado reuniones de trabajo, de campo, revisiones bibliográficas y actualizaciones terapéuticas, para finalmente, por consenso, aprobar la presente pauta. Este documento busca resumir de manera clara, la forma correcta de tratar a los pacientes con malaria o paludismo en todo el territorio nacional. De esta forma se busca que se estandaricen los pasos a seguir desde que se sospecha de un caso de malaria, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento, el seguimiento y alta de un paciente.
more
Le Plan Stratégique National de Lutte contre le Paludisme 2021–2027 du Burundi expose la vision d’un Burundi sans décès lié au paludisme d’ici 2027. Le programme vise à réduire de 60 % la morbidité et à atteindre zéro mortalité grâce à une couverture universelle en prévention (m...oustiquaires imprégnées, pulvérisation intradomiciliaire, traitement préventif intermittent), une prise en charge efficace à tous les niveaux (structures sanitaires et communautaires), un renforcement des capacités institutionnelles, et une surveillance épidémiologique renforcée. Le plan insiste sur la bonne gouvernance, l’équité, la mobilisation des ressources, la communication et l’innovation, tout en s’alignant sur les objectifs nationaux et internationaux de santé publique.
more
Le Plan Stratégique National de Communication pour le Changement Social et des Comportements en matière de Lutte contre le Paludisme 2021–2025 de la Côte d’Ivoire définit les grandes lignes pour améliorer la prévention et la prise en charge du paludisme à travers la communication. Il vise... à changer durablement les comportements des populations, en mettant l’accent sur l’utilisation correcte des moustiquaires imprégnées, le recours précoce au diagnostic et au traitement, et la participation active des communautés. Le document identifie les publics cibles, les messages clés, les canaux de communication adaptés (médias, acteurs communautaires, écoles, etc.) et prévoit des mécanismes de suivi-évaluation. L’objectif final est de réduire la morbidité et la mortalité liées au paludisme, en mobilisant tous les acteurs nationaux et locaux autour d’une communication efficace et inclusive.
more
The Rwanda Malaria Strategic Plan 2020–2024 outlines Rwanda’s national strategy to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality by at least 50% compared to 2019 levels. The vision is a malaria-free Rwanda contributing to socioeconomic development.
The plan includes strengthening prevention through lo...ng-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and larval source management; ensuring universal access to testing and treatment; improving surveillance and data use; and enhancing program management, coordination, and financing. It also emphasizes community engagement and behavior change to ensure at least 85% of the at-risk population adopts protective practices.
The strategy builds on past lessons, involves multi-sectoral collaboration, and aligns with global malaria goals. It highlights equity, quality services, and evidence-based interventions as guiding principles, aiming to mobilize national and international resources for sustained impact.
more
La Stratégie intégrée de communication pour la lutte contre le paludisme au Sénégal (2016) vise à renforcer la prévention et la prise en charge du paludisme par des actions de communication efficaces. Elle combine plaidoyer, mobilisation sociale et communication pour le changement de comporte...ment afin d’augmenter l’utilisation des moustiquaires imprégnées, le recours au traitement précoce, la chimio-prévention saisonnière et l’aspersion intradomiciliaire. Le document définit les objectifs, les messages clés, les cibles, les canaux de communication (comme la radio, la télévision, les activités communautaires) et les mécanismes de suivi-évaluation. L’accent est mis sur la coordination nationale et locale pour harmoniser les actions, renforcer l’adhésion des communautés et garantir un impact durable sur la santé publique au Sénégal.
more
This handbook is designed to provide essential information as well as quick tips to improve foot care for people with dark skin tone living with diabetes.
This guidance covers different options for banning or phasing out a pesticide and suggests related risk reduction measures to be taken during the phase-out period. A key focus of this guidance is how to take action to manage, prevent, minimize, and communicate about identified risks during the imple...mentation of a phase-out strategy. It contains a description of legal aspects to consider when phasing out a product and illustrates how a risk communication plan can be structured and implemented. How different stakeholders may be involved when a pesticide is going to be phased out is also described.
more
This document highlights the latest WHO recommendations designed to optimize health outcomes, streamline delivery and address persistent barriers to prevention and care. It especially focuses on people often left behind in service delivery, including adolescents and young people, key populations and... people with advanced HIV disease. The guidance emphasizes integration, simplification, choice and equity.
more