The figure was announced on last November 14 by the Minister of Public Health regarding the World Diabetes Day.

With a prevalence rate of between 6% and 8% (adults and children), there are currently around 2.5 million diabetics in Cameroon. Unfortunately, almost 80% of the Cameroonian population are unaware of their diabetes status. It is therefore important to act, and to act quickly and effectively underscores the minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda. This includes prevention, early diagnosis and education about healthy behavior.

Given the growing scale of this scourge and its serious human and economic consequences, Malachie Manaouda calls on all Cameroonians to be aware of the danger and to support the government in its efforts to prevent and control this disease by being systematically screened for diabetes from the age of 18, having blood glucose levels checked annually, exercising daily, limiting excessive alcohol and fat consumption and eating fruit and vegetables regularly.

According to the minister, there are “eleven clinics specialising in diabetes care, six hundred and sixty-four (664) staff trained in diabetes care, more than a thousand children registered in these clinics, of whom 718 are still being monitored and 137 have left the project at the age of 21”. He adds, “eleven clinics specialising in diabetes care, six hundred and sixty-four (664) staff trained in diabetes care, more than a thousand children registered in these clinics, of whom 718 are still being monitored and 137 have left the project at the age of 21”.

In addition to these specialised clinics, which illustrate the government’s efforts to implement solutions to tackle this disease, diabetes screening and management has been integrated into primary health care, as has the recent update of the Minimum and Complementary Activity Packages, which enable integrated health centres to screen and monitor uncomplicated diabetes. Health institutions have also been provided with basic diagnostic equipment and glucometers with test strips. These are some of the government’s key achievements in the fight against the disease.

However, the challenges remain enormous, particularly the under-diagnosis of diabetes, addressing modifiable risk factors (physical inactivity that promotes overweight and obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets) to significantly reduce diabetes-related premature mortality and disability, which have a major impact on families and the economy.