World Diabetes Day (WDD) is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Fredrick Banting, who discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
Cyprus – For WDD the Medieval Castles of Paphos and Larnaka, as well as the Cyprus Museum at Nicosia (pictured), were lit blue.
The Cyprus Diabetic Association persuaded the Department of Antiquities to embrace their campaign aimed at confronting diabetes at different levels, including the increase of scientific knowledge, and effective prevention.
The Department of Antiquities was keen to get involved saying in a press release that: ‘Our cultural heritage reminds us of our duty to protect and provide tangible support to the most vulnerable groups’.
Nigeria – On WDD 21, the Diabetes Control Media Advocacy Initiative (DICOMA), a non-governmental organisation, expressed concerns over the plight of Nigerians living with diabetes, claiming many cannot control their condition because of the high cost of drugs and monitoring devices.
CAPTION: “Take note politicians,” warns DICOMA Chair Dr. Afoke Islavwe
DICOMA Chair Dr. Afoke Isiavwe called on politicians to take note that there are over 4 million Nigerians with the condition and their numbers are increasing at a fast rate. She called on the federal and state governments to seize the golden opportunity offered by WDD events to introduce measures towards addressing the plight of Nigerians living with diabetes.
A recent announcement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed MP. proposed a pro-health tax on soft drinks in Nigeria in the 2022 budget. Patient and medical organisations in the country have been calling on the Government to introduce such a tax and use the receipts to fund health improvements.
Zimbabwe – In the city of Gweru, The Ministry of Health and Child Care provided a three-day screening programme. Around 800 individuals were tested as a way of establishing the prevalence of diabetes in the country for appropriate responses.
Meanwhile, In the capital Harare’s Warren Park district, 116 people were given a free diabetes test to mark WDD 21 and to raise awareness of the disease which is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputations in the country.