Diabetes cases increase worries health experts

Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention research unity says diabetes cases have increased in the past ten years with almost half in rural areas.

Dr Owen Nkoka cohort manager for Malawi Epidemiology and intervention research unity said this when he presented his research

According to Dr Nkoka in Karonga for example as of 2016 the cases were at 1.3 and the figure has jumped to 2.2 in recent years

He said this indicates how serious the problem is in the country

Dr Nkoka said adults of ages 40 to 60 are the most affected noting also that patients with both HIV and diabetes are at high risk of dying

He has therefore recommended strengthening systems to better manage HIV and diabetes

According to international diabetes federation’s 2021 estimates there are 486000 adults in Malawi living with all types of diabetes