By Dr Joana Ansong, Team Lead for the Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (UCN) Cluster

Diabetes remains a major global health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for approximately 45% of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes being the leading contributors. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for greater action to address these health risks. World Diabetes Day 2024 celebrated under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps” arrives at a crucial moment, highlighting our shared commitment to reducing diabetes risks and ensuring equitable, comprehensive, and high-quality diabetes care is accessible to all. This theme calls on us to eliminate the barriers that hinder progress, empowering individuals, and communities to manage and prevent diabetes more effectively.

Ghana’s Progress in Diabetes Care: A Collaborative Effort

Ghana has made significant strides in diabetes care and non-communicable disease (NCD) management, marking a promising path forward. Initiatives like the NCD Project and the D-Card program are driving this transformation, focusing on strengthening governance, advancing workforce training, and leveraging innovative technologies. These efforts are at the core of enhancing diabetes prevention and management services across the country, paving the way for a more resilient and responsive healthcare system for all Ghanaians.

With support from NORAD, the NCD project has been pivotal in improving the prevention and management of NCDs, including diabetes while the D-Card program has enhanced the focus on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by scaling up integrated services at the primary healthcare (PHC) level.

Building a Strong Healthcare Workforce

Ghana has adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Essential Noncommunicable (PEN) Disease Interventions, which aims to scale up essential NCD services and reduce the disease burden. A key component of this initiative is the comprehensive training programs designed to empower health workers at the PHC level.

Primary healthcare plays a pivotal role in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with healthcare workers now better equipped to lead these efforts. Additionally, under the WHO-PEN module, health centers across the country have adopted routine screenings for early detection and treatment of diabetes. This shift from a reactive to a proactive approach marks a significant advancement in addressing diabetes and other NCDs at the frontline of care.

Empowering Patients Through Self-Care and Support Groups

Managing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases requires long-term care, lifestyle adjustments, and patient empowerment. Ghana’s healthcare system recognizes the critical role of self-care in improving the quality of life for people living with chronic conditions. Self-care training programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to manage their conditions at home, reduce complications, and enhance overall health outcomes.

Patient support group meetings have played an essential role in strengthening relationships between healthcare providers and patients, creating a valuable space for open communication and shared learning. These meetings, if replicated across the country will greatly enhance trust and collaboration, allowing patients and providers to connect, exchange insights, and foster a supportive community that encourages better health outcomes.

Leveraging Technology for Better Health Outcomes

One of the standout achievements of these initiatives is the development of the DHIS2 eTracker, a digital health platform that enables healthcare workers to collect, store, and access patient data in real-time. This digital tool is enhancing healthcare workers' capacity to monitor patient outcomes over time, track disease progression, and make data-driven decisions. This allows service providers to follow patients’ health journeys more closely, improving their ability to deliver timely, personalized care. 

Addressing Challenges and Looking Ahead

Despite this progress, Ghana still faces challenges in managing diabetes effectively. Limited access to essential medications, fragmented healthcare services, and inadequate data management systems are significant barriers. The lack of a comprehensive national diabetes registry hampers efforts to monitor disease trends and allocate resources efficiently.

To address these challenges, Ghana is taking a proactive approach by to pilot a diabetes e-registry at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Centre of Excellence. This digital registry will allow for real-time data entry, enhancing the ability to track patient outcomes and trends in diabetes management.

Celebrating Achievements, Renewing Commitments

The combined efforts of the NCD project and D-Card initiatives have set a new standard for diabetes care in Ghana. These projects have expanded access to critical services, strengthened healthcare systems, and laid the groundwork for a more resilient healthcare infrastructure to support integrated NCD services at the PHC level.

As we celebrate World Diabetes Day 2024, we renew our commitment to breaking barriers and bridging gaps in diabetes care. With the continued support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, Ghana is on the path to reducing the burden of diabetes and other NCDs, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Let’s join hands this World Diabetes Day to spread awareness, support those living with diabetes, and work towards a healthier, more equitable future for all. Together, we can break barriers, bridge gaps, and make a lasting impact.

For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393