By Wumi Oyehan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend raised alarm over an estimated 24.6 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in the African Region in 2024.
In a message to commemorate the World Diabetes Day 2026, from WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, in Abuja.
This year’s theme is, ‘Know the symptoms. Act early on diabetes. Save lives’.
He lamented that, diabetes is increasingly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across Africa. Yet, many people remain unaware that they have the condition until serious complications develop.
He noted that early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent complications, reduce suffering and save lives.
WHO boss said, “Today, as we commemorate World Diabetes Day 2026 under the theme ‘Early action on diabetes,’ I call on individuals, communities, governments, health workers and partners across the WHO African Region to strengthen awareness, promote early diagnosis and ensure access to quality, affordable diabetes care.
”The urgency is clear. According to the International Diabetes Federation, an estimated 24.6 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in the African Region in 2024, a number projected to reach 59.5 million by 2050. Alarmingly, nearly three out of four adults living with diabetes remain undiagnosed, the highest proportion globally. Many are at risk of serious complications, including kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease and lower-limb amputations.
”My first message is to the general public: Know the symptoms of diabetes and act early. Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and blurred vision may be warning signs. Do not ignore these symptoms. Seek testing and medical advice promptly, and encourage family members and friends to do the same. People at increased risk should also seek screening, as diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms”.
He, therefore, said, “I encourage communities to raise awareness, share accurate information and challenge stigma and discrimination. To people living with diabetes, your experiences matter. Share your stories, support one another and encourage others to seek care. Every conversation about diabetes is an opportunity to promote understanding and save lives.
”To healthcare workers, I urge you to recognize symptoms early, provide timely testing and deliver compassionate, person-centred care. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to promote prevention, improve diabetes management and prevent complications.
”There is reason for hope. Through WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable diseases (WHO PEN), technical package for cardiovascular disease (HEARTS), technical package for diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes (HEARTS-D) and Regional strategy to address severe noncommunicable diseases at first-level referral health facilities (PEN Plus), WHO and its partners are supporting countries to strengthen diabetes services at primary health care and first-level referral facilities. I commend Rwanda for achieving nationwide district-level coverage of PEN-Plus, alongside other countries advancing implementation. However, significant gaps remain in access to trained health workers, diagnostics, essential medicines and continuous care.
”I call on governments to prioritize diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and continuous care within primary health care and universal health coverage. This requires sustained investment in public awareness, affordable insulin and essential medicines, diagnostics, trained health workers and reliable health systems. I also urge development partners, civil society and the private sector to support country-led efforts, particularly in underserved communities”.
He reiterated the commitment of WHO in supporting Member States to accelerate progress in achievement of the 2030 targets of the Framework for the implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in the African Region.
He noted, “On this World Diabetes Day, my message is simple: Know the symptoms. Do not ignore the warning signs. Seek testing and care early. Encourage others to do the same.
”Together, we can build an Africa where diabetes is detected early, quality treatment is accessible to all, and no one loses their sight, a limb or their life because diabetes was diagnosed too late” .