By Simon Naulele
and Ronald Kalyango

DIABETES patients in Teso sub-region have asked the Government to construct a hospital which will treat and monitor the disease.

Ruth Achom, a member of Soroti Diabetes Association, said the disease is common in the region due to lack of the facility.

“Diabetes has become a threat to the Iteso. So far, 3,000 people are suffering from the disease,” Achom said.

She was speaking during an interview at a half-day sensitisation workshop for diabetes patients and clinical officers from Teso.

Barbara Amuge from Kaberamaido district said the treatment for diabetes is expensive, giving few patients access to treatment.

“A bottle of oral medication costs sh30,000 in private clinics and checking blood pressure costs sh5,000,” Amuge said.

She added that they lack the equipment used to test for diabetes, saying this is one of the reasons why many people do not know their diabetic status.

“Sometimes, Soroti Hospital goes up to three months without drugs for diabetes patients and there is no doctor to handle such cases,” Amuge said.

Prof. Marcel Andrew Otim, the chairperson of the Uganda Diabetes Association, said Uganda has over two million diabetic patients.

He attributed the increasing number of cases of diabetes to changes in lifestyle and obesity.

The business development manager for Kampala Pharmaceutical Industry (KPI), Anthony Kuria, donated diabetes drugs (formin) to Soroti Hospital.