Two million Ugandans diabetic
Nov 26, 2009
OVER two million Ugandans are thought to be diabetic, an official has said.
By Ronald Kalyango
OVER two million Ugandans are thought to be diabetic, an official has said.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned at the growing incidence of diabetes, which is attributed to changes in lifestyle and the rising obesity,†Prof. Mercel Otim, the Uganda Diabetes Association chairman, said.
“There is a new thrust of non-communicable diseases in the country and among these is diabetes. It is a serious problem. People are changing their lifestyles. Many no longer exercise, they do not work and instead of walking, they are driven in cars,†he told participants at the Aga Khan Health Service fair on Sunday.
The event, held at Aga Khan Primary School in Kampala, coincided with the World Diabetes Month of November. Participants had their blood glucose tested for free.
Otim explained that in 1972, only 254 people in Uganda were diagnosed of diabetes at Mulago Hospital.
Today, he said, the country has over 700,000 registered people with diabetes, but it is thought an additional 1.3 million patients may have the disease but are unaware of it.
Nazeem Mohammed, the Aga Khan Health Service chairman, called on the public to change their lifestyles to fight the disease.
OVER two million Ugandans are thought to be diabetic, an official has said.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned at the growing incidence of diabetes, which is attributed to changes in lifestyle and the rising obesity,†Prof. Mercel Otim, the Uganda Diabetes Association chairman, said.
“There is a new thrust of non-communicable diseases in the country and among these is diabetes. It is a serious problem. People are changing their lifestyles. Many no longer exercise, they do not work and instead of walking, they are driven in cars,†he told participants at the Aga Khan Health Service fair on Sunday.
The event, held at Aga Khan Primary School in Kampala, coincided with the World Diabetes Month of November. Participants had their blood glucose tested for free.
Otim explained that in 1972, only 254 people in Uganda were diagnosed of diabetes at Mulago Hospital.
Today, he said, the country has over 700,000 registered people with diabetes, but it is thought an additional 1.3 million patients may have the disease but are unaware of it.
Nazeem Mohammed, the Aga Khan Health Service chairman, called on the public to change their lifestyles to fight the disease.