The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned that death rates from COVID-19 infections are higher in patients with diabetes in Africa, where the number of people with diabetes is also increasing rapidly, reported Reuters.
According to a WHO preliminary analysis of data from 13 African countries, there is a 10.2% case fatality rate in COVID-19 patients with diabetes as compared with 2.5% for COVID-19 patients overall. The case fatality rate for people with diabetes was also twice as high as the fatality rate among patients suffering from any comorbidity. The analysis result matches similar known data about diabetes sufferers being at increased risk from COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is delivering a clear message: fighting the diabetes epidemic in Africa is in many ways as critical as the battle against the current pandemic,” Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa.
The statement comes ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, an estimated 24 million people are suffering from diabetes in Africa. The number of people suffering from the disease in African countries is expected to rise to 55 million by 2045 as living standards continue to improve.
The WHO warned that the high number of suspected undiagnosed diabetes cases in Africa was a particular cause for concern. It is estimated that around 70% of Africans with diabetes are not aware that they are suffering from the disease.
“We must act now to prevent new cases, vaccinate people who have this condition, and, equally importantly, identify and support the millions of Africans unaware they are suffering from this silent killer,” Moeti said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also severely disrupted access to diabetes care throughout Africa. Lockdowns and restrictions have impeded access to health care and the basic elements of proper disease management.
As per data, only 6.6% of the African population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with about 40% globally.
