Gambia to Celebrate World Diabetes Day

The Department of State for Health, in collaboration with The Gambia Diabetes Association, on Tuesday held a press briefing for journalist on the situation of diabetes in the country.

Speaking at the briefing, the Secretary of State for Health and Social welfare, Dr Malick Njie, said the theme of this year’s celebration is “Children and Adolescence Living with Diabetes”.

SoS Njie stated that his department and the diabetes association has lined up series of programmes for the celebration, noting that there will be a march past commencing from the Medical and health complex to the National Assembly where the actual programme will take place on Friday November the 14th.

He pointed out that his department has identified a focal person for diabetes noting the health education unit over the years has carried out a series of sensitisation programmes on diabetes both in the print and electronic media.

He said DOSH is closely working with the WHO and the diabetes association in the country.

Dr Alieu Gaye, president of diabetes association, said diabetes is on the increase in the country noting that 18,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes and out of this number 4,000 are children.

He pointed out that 8.9% of people in the urban areas have the disease whilst 4.1% of people in the rural area have got the disease.

Dr Gaye stated that the association is providing insulin through a support from their German counterparts.

The World Health Organisation representative in The Gambia Dr Thomas Sukwa gave a global overview of diabetes in the world.