Brazzaville, 14 November 2013 -- WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has called on governments and their development partners as well as civil society organizations in the Region to carry out health awareness campaigns to sensitize the public on diabetes, particularly on how to prevent it.

Dr Sambo’s call is contained in his message on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, observed across the globe on 14 November.

In the message, released in Brazzaville on Thursday, the Regional Director also pointed out the importance and urgent need for countries to adapt their health systems to address diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

Calling on people in the Region to adopt a healthy life style, he said: “A healthy body weight, good dietary habits and moderate physical activity can help prevent the development of diabetes”. He added that it is also important for people at risk or those who suffer from the disease to be educated to enable them not only to manage it,  but also to avoid complications associated with it.

The World Health Organization estimates that in 2011 alone, 14.7 million adults in the African Region were suffering from the diseases which resulted in 344,000 deaths.

Communication, Media and Advocacy Unit

cam [at] afro.who.int  tel: +47 241 39100