World Diabetes Day

By Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease, can lead to life-threatening damage to the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes if diagnosed late or managed poorly. It remains a significant challenge in South-East Asia, with over 279 million adults living with diabetes-one-third of the global burden-and a high number of undiagnosed, untreated, or poorly controlled cases. Only one in three adults with diabetes receives treatment across our region, and less than 15% have their blood glucose levels adequately controlled.

This year, we mark World Diabetes Day with the theme 'Diabetes across life stages,' recognizing that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care and supportive environments and policies that promote health, dignity and self-management. We highlight the need for equitable, age-responsive approaches to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and management across the life course.

Children with diabetes needs timely and tailored care at home and school to help them grow, learn and thrive. Managing diabetes during pregnancy supports the health and future of both mother and baby, while older adults need ongoing support and knowledge to manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications.

While type 1 diabetes, which typically begins in childhood and in adolescence, cannot currently be prevented, it can be managed. The risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle of physical activity, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Medication and a healthy lifestyle can also help avoid complications in those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Our region has responded to this significant challenge through collective commitments and actions.

In 2023, our Member States adopted the regional resolution 'SEAHEARTS: Accelerating prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases,' to promote diabetes coverage and control through the implementation of the WHO HEARTS technical package in primary health care.

In 2024, the endorsement of the 'Colombo Call for Action for strengthening prevention and control of diabetes in WHO SE Asia Region' provided a set of practical and feasible catalytic actions to reduce the risks of diabetes and ensure that all people diagnosed have access to quality treatment and care. This includes access to affordable treatment, including the provision of insulin and blood glucose self-monitoring devices through national health coverage benefit packages.

Most Member States now have in place evidence-based drug- and dose- specific management protocols for diabetes, and provide at least one hypoglycemic drug at the health facility level. I am pleased to note that more than 33 million people with diabetes have been placed on protocol-based management in public health facilities throughout the region.

On World Diabetes Day, I call upon governments, non-governmental organizations, health professionals and communities to reaffirm our commitment and redouble our efforts to address the burden of diabetes across all life stages.