By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma
The Country Manager for Doctors With Africa-CUAMM, Michele Soci, has raised urgent concerns over the rising cases of diabetes among young people in Sierra Leone, citing a lack of awareness as a major barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking during a joint press conference with the Ministry of Health on World Diabetes Day focusing on diabetes in the workplace, comprising health partners and journalists, Michele Soci emphasised that although significant strides have been made in treatment and provision of medical commodities, more needs to be done to tackle the awareness gap, especially in households. “What we are noticing, like an emergency, is the fact that Type 1 diabetes, the type of disease affecting mostly the young generation, is suffering from a lack of awareness. It’s difficult for us to find and treat young children because the symptoms are often not recognised at the household level.” He said.
The Country Manager for Doctors With Africa continues that families often fail to realise the urgency of Type 1 diabetes symptoms, leading to delayed hospital visits. Without timely treatment, the disease can be fatal. He recommends a nationwide awareness campaign to educate communities, particularly parents and caregivers, about the signs of the disease and the importance of early intervention. He highlighted the role of two PEN-Plus health facilities in Kono and Pujehun, which have become key referral centres for diagnosis and treatment. “Many patients come from across the country to these centres, which offer consultation, diagnosis and treatment, especially for the worst forms of diabetes affecting the youth,” he added.
In his Statement, the Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health said that data reported on diabetes in the working class is alarming, which is why the ministry is concerned, as its mandate is to provide accessible and affordable services and to enable people to access care.
Dr Alie Wurie is the deputy chief medical officer he said that globally, diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate as the World Health Organisation reports that the number of people living with diabetes has increased fourfold over the past three decades. Projections indicate that this burden may grow to more than 850 million by 2050 if
urgent action is not taken.
He continues to say that the International Diabetes Federation further notes that approximately 1 in 9 adults worldwide now lives with diabetes, with the greatest increases occurring in low-and middle-income countries. “Sierra Leone is no exception to this growing public health challenge. National estimates indicate that diabetes among adults aged 20-79 has increased significantly, rising from around 72,000 cases in 2011 to approximately 170,000 cases by 2024”. He said.
Dr Wurie noted that the age-standardised national prevalence stands at about 4.8%, and in some urban settings, local studies have recorded rates as high as 6.2%. Alarmingly, as is the case in many low-resource settings, a large proportion of People living with diabetes in Sierra Leone remain undiagnosed, placing them at increased risk of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and lower-limb amputation.
He ended that workplaces remain essential platforms for addressing this rising burden. Adults spend a substantial portion of their time at work, making these environments critical for health promotion, lifestyle improvement, and early detection. Small changes, healthier food options, routine health checks, and opportunities for physical activity can significantly improve the health and well-being of workers.
A WHO representative at the press conference said that diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world. He said that Sierra Leone has limited preventive measures, and sadly, diabetes affects everyone, with each stage needing tailored treatment. He concluded that diabetes can damage a lot of parts of the body, but if detected, it can be prevented from developing into insulin resistance.
It is worth noting that World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to the growing health threat posed by diabetes globally. It is observed every year on November 14th, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin in 1921. The day aims to raise awareness of diabetes, its prevention and management, and its impact on millions of people worldwide. It serves as a platform to advocate for stronger healthcare systems, better education, and access to essential diabetes care, especially in low- and middle-income countries.