Port-Louis, 14 November 2009 -- The International Conference on Diabetes and Associated Diseases has ended today with the unanimous adoption of the Mauritius Call for Action which aims at identifying key strategies and commitments urgently required for planning and implementing national diabetes and non-communicable diseases prevention and control programs.

More than 300 delegates from over 50 countries expressed concern about the scale of the diabetes epidemic and its impact on socio-economic development particularly in the African region. They proclaimed their commitment to integrate diabetes and other non-communicable diseases into primary health care as well as increase sensitisation and advocacy to fight the growing epidemic.
Port-Louis, 14 November 2009 -- The International Conference on Diabetes and Associated Diseases has ended today with the unanimous adoption of the Mauritius Call for Action which aims at identifying key strategies and commitments urgently required for planning and implementing national diabetes and non-communicable diseases prevention and control programs.

More than 300 delegates from over 50 countries expressed concern about the scale of the diabetes epidemic and its impact on socio-economic development particularly in the African region. They proclaimed their commitment to integrate diabetes and other non-communicable diseases into primary health care as well as increase sensitisation and advocacy to fight the growing epidemic.

The Call to Action stresses amongst other things the need to foster partnerships with relevant stakeholders including private-public sectors and promote primary, secondary and tertiary interventions in favour of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

It recommends the promotion of healthy foods and eating habits and the setting up of regulatory framework for limiting access to unhealthy food/ingredients as well as setting up mechanisms for prohibiting advertising on alcohol and tobacco.

Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of Health and Quality of Life of Mauritius thanked the delegates and appealed to the World Health Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation to consider organising conference as a regular feature.

"No doubt, such a forum will give us the opportunity to follow-up on actions taken by each Member State, monitor and evaluate our respective programmes and the progress achieved and to take appropriate and timely remedial measures", he said.

Speaking on behalf of Dr Luis Sambo, the WHO Regional Director for Africa,
Dr A.Diarra-Nama, Director of the Division of Non-Communicable Diseases in the WHO African region, said: "I am convinced that this conference has paved 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".

She reiterated the appeal for African governments to accelerate efforts in developing national programmes to fight diabetes and other non communicable diseases, along with mobilizing national and external resources to meet the requirements for adequate implementation of these programmes.

Professor Jean Claude Mbanya, President of the International Diabetes Federation pointed out that through various advocacy initiatives, diabetes has now been placed on the global political agenda and stressed that this is the opportune time to forge ahead in tackling the growing diabetes epidemic.

"You have heard, exchanged ideas and learned from various best practices. Please go back home and do likewise. Tomorrow the world will judge us on these", he added.

The last day of the conference coincided with this year's World Diabetes Day during which the World Health Organisation, International Diabetes Federation and other partnersengages people in a worldwide campaign focusing on diabetes advocacy, awareness and effective prevention and control.

For more information, please contact:

Media Contacts : Collins Boakye-Agyemang, Flavienne Issembé, Devan Mohee, Souleymane Koné, Henry Bastienne, José Dacosta Caetano, to the following numbers: +230 7806478 ; 7649665 ; 2539387; 7649533

Technical Contacts: Dr A.J. Diarra-Nama et Dr Boureima Hama Sambo to the following number: +230 7513131