Patient numbers increase, women lead as Tanzania marks Diabetes Day

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Health has named women as the leading group for diabetes, with health statistics from the DHIS2 collection system for July 2024 to June 2025 showing more than 200,000 patients attending hospitals with the disease.

There has also been a significant increase in patients, from 814,449 in July 2023 to June 2024 to 863,942. This increase indicates a need to take effective measures to prevent, detect, and treat the disease early.

In addition, according to WHO in 2024, approximately 423 million people worldwide have diabetes, most of them living in low and middle-income countries, and more than 1.5 million deaths are directly linked to the disease per year.

A statement issued by the Head of Government Communications at the Ministry of Health on the occasion of the disease’s anniversary on November 14, Roida Andusamile, said that the government has continued to make various efforts to ensure that services for diabetics are available to the community up to the primary health care level by providing health education to the public on the best way to control, protect themselves and the importance of regular testing.

“Other education is to change lifestyle by focusing on a proper diet with nutrients, coping with stress and exercising regularly.

She also said that the government continues to build the capacity of service providers, including community-level health care providers for early detection and establishing services for those diagnosed with diabetes.

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She said that this year’s theme is “Diabetes and health care: take action to control diabetes in the workplace” as a specific message to encourage everyone with diabetes to have the opportunity to live a better life through proper health services and support at work.

“Due to this situation, it is important for the workplace to have an environment that enables people with diabetes to receive services, time to test their diabetes levels, and emotional support to ensure they continue to work effectively and be in good health.