Type 2 diabetes is becoming far more common across the region: cases in sub-Saharan Africa have grown sharply over the past two decades, driven largely by rising obesity, reduced physical activity and longer life expectancy. A large share of people living with it are unaware they have it until a routine test or a complication reveals it.
A diabetes diagnosis is not a life sentence of complications; it’s a condition that is very manageable with the right routine: regular blood sugar monitoring, a consistent meal pattern, regular physical activity, and medication taken as prescribed. Left unmanaged, it raises the risk of kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage and heart disease.
If you have risk factors (a family history, being overweight, or an inactive lifestyle), ask about a simple blood sugar test at your next visit. Our endocrinology team can help you build a management plan that fits your daily life.