- Your Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius
- Honourable Minister of Health and Quality of Life ,
- Honourable Ministers,
- Members of the Legislative Assembly,
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Representatives of Partner Agencies,
- The President of the International Diabetes Federation,
- Distinguished , participants and guests,
- Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured, on behalf of the World Health Organization to express our gratitude to you Dr The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam - Prime Minister, for your leadership and wisdom in initiating the undertaking of this landmark event. I wish to thank you also, Excellency, for sparing time and honouring us this evening with your presence at this opening ceremony.
It was here in Port Louis, in this very same room, where the Minister of Health and Quality of Life informed me about the great concerns of the Prime Minister of Mauritius about diabetes, then we decided to organise this conference.
I thank the Government and the People of Mauritius for the hospitality and excellent arrangements made for this meeting.
I express my appreciation to the honourable Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of Health and Quality of Life for all the preparations that have been made to ensure optimal conditions for this conference.
My appreciation go also to the Scientific Committee led by Prof. Mbanya and co-chaired by Prof Zimmet, for their valuable input in the technical preparations of this conference.
To all the distinguished experts, presenters and participants who have travelled to Mauritius for this occasion, from 46 countries around the world, I wish you a warm welcome.
We have listened since this morning to insightful presentations by highly qualified and renowned experts in the field of diabetes. During the next two days, we will discuss more, share experiences and eventually get new ideas, which could contribute to accelerating the effective prevention and management of diabetes amongst other non-communicable diseases.
- Your Excellency Mr Prime Minister,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
From today's presentation and discussions, it was made very clear that diabetes is increasingly more significant as a public health problem in Africa. The current trend of incidence and prevalence of diabetes and associated diseases represents a challenge to public policies, health services and communities. Diabetes can lead to very high rates of ill health, disability and premature deaths. The number of people with diabetes in the world has risen from 25 million in 1985 to about 250 million to date (SOURCE: WHO 2008). Diabetes epidemic is unfolding and already having tremendous impact on the life and health of millions of individuals and families in many parts of the world.
Type 2 Diabetes represents about 90 per cent of people with diabetes. It results from the body's ineffective use of insulin; and it is largely associated with overweight and physical inactivity; genetic factors also play a role.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes requires public policies that promote healthy lifestyles (such as healthy diets and physical activity), without neglecting the importance of safe behaviours (related with drinking and smoking in particular). But public policies alone are not enough. Families and individuals must also be involved by having the right information to guide their choices about lifestyles and behaviours that promote their own health. Current global efforts to address Non-communicable diseases including diabetes focus mainly on prevention, control and surveillance . Those who have diabetes must get proper treatment and care. Strict control of blood sugar level, treatment of raised blood pressure, foot care, and eye care are cost-saving interventions which can substantially reduce the progression of the disease and its complications.
Disease surveillance systems should include regular notifications of diabetes and related risk factors. Information about the frequency and distribution of diabetes among the population should guide health policy development and program implementation.
The chronic nature of diabetes along with its epidemic dimensions has created in many of us a mixed feeling of concern and hope. We are concerned because it affects about 250 million people in the world and it is estimated that about 2.9 million deaths per year are attributable to diabetes (WHO, 2008) and some of them are pregnant women and children.
We are hopeful because we know what can be done to prevent diabetes and its complications and scale down the epidemic.
- Your Excellency Mr Prime Minister,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen
Changes in lifestyles of Africans have brought a change in the pattern of diseases in Africa . Until recently Africa was mostly affected by communicable diseases. Today, chronic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in all countries . This has created an epidemiological profile characterised by double burden of diseases, and many countries are unable to effectively deal with the current situation because of inadequate policies and resource constraints.
I want to express concern in relation to the low funding for the implementation of the African regional strategy for prevention and control of non communicable diseases, and specifically the regional strategy for the prevention and control of diabetes. I appeal to African governments to accelerate efforts in developing national programmes to fight diabetes and other public health problems, and mobilize national and external resources to meet the requirements for adequate implementation of these programmes. The response to the emerging epidemic of chronic diseases will depend on access to health care; health education, information and communication; social mobilization and the effective implementation of regional and national plans.
- Your Excellency Mr Prime Minister,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
In view of this reality, it is very timely that this international conference is being held in Mauritius which is among the countries with high prevalence of diabetes. In fighting diabetes, Mauritius has taken numerous initiatives and at the same time gathered a lot of experience over the years. This conference therefore provides the opportunity to learn from the experience of Mauritius and share best practices of other participating countries and institutions involved in prevention and control of diabetes.
I welcome the partnership between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius, the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization for holding this Conference.
I wish to seize this opportunity to reaffirm to you that the World Health Organization will continue to work with governments, partners, research institutions and other relevant organisations to find better solutions to deal with diabetes and its complications.
I sincerely hope that this conference will pave the way for concerted and more effective response to the health needs of people affected with diabetes, and herald a healthier future for generations to come.
Thank you for your attention.