NCDs
Introduction:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are today the world’s largest Killers. Each year, non–communicable diseases claim 41 million lives: That’s about 70 per cent of all global deaths.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are non-transmissible diseases of often long duration. Examples of NCDs include mental health conditions, stroke, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an increasing global concern, with morbidity and mortality largely occurring in low- and middle-income settings.
NCDs are often associated with life style factors,
In recognition of the increasing burden of diabetes and other NCDs as a major socio-economic challenge, Government of Uganda is scaling up critical care pathways for managing chronic diseases including diabetes up to primary health care level
Uganda is already demonstrating significant commitment for action on prevention and control of NCDs. Examples include the 2015 Tobacco Control Act, which fulfils Uganda’s obligations to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Prohibition of smoking in public places, total ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, and prohibition of interactions with the tobacco industry, are some of the key elements that will most likely impact the consumption of tobacco products in the country.
The 2015–2020 Ugandan Health Sector Development Plan emphasizes the need to develop national NCD management policy and guidelines, strengthen surveillance systems for NCDs, and expand access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for NCDs, among other related priorities. The Ugandan government also has expressed commitment to allocate 17% of the total health budget to NCDs and 60% of the NCD budget to prevention services.
At the national level, additional efforts aimed at addressing NCDs include the development of a Multi-sectoral Health Action Plan for NCDs and several related collaborations with local and global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and development partners who support the government in developing trainings, implementing public awareness on NCDs and their risk factors, and strengthening the capacity of the health system to prevent and manage NCDs. End Poverty-Uganda becomes very relevant as an NGO in supporting the government efforts.
At End Poverty-Uganda, our Attention is drawn to Diabetes.
Diabetes
Background
Diabetes has been a growing global burden on individuals, families and countries, The global age-standardized prevalence of diabetes doubled from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2021 among the adult population (18 years and older). In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths worldwide, 48% of which occurred prematurely, before the age of 70 years.
In Africa, there were 24 million people living with diabetes in 2021. This is projected to increase to 55 million by 2045, an increase of 129%, and the highest increase of all regions according to World Health Organisation (WHO).
Uganda as is the case in many African countries, Diabetes prevalence has been on the rise. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and non-traumatic lower limb amputation in Uganda. According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), in 2021, an estimated 716,000 adults in Uganda had diabetes. About 89% of Ugandans with diabetes are neither on medication nor aware of their status and therefore present to the health system with difficult to treat complications. This is very pathetic.
Know more about Diabetes
Diabetes
Key facts
- The number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
- Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
- Between 2000 and 2019, there was a 3% increase in diabetes mortality rates by age.
- In 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths.
- A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening and treatment for complications.
Overview
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 48% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years. Another 460 000 kidney disease deaths were caused by diabetes, and raised blood glucose causes around 20% of cardiovascular deaths (1).
Between 2000 and 2019, there was a 3% increase in age-standardized mortality rates from diabetes. In lower-middle-income countries, the mortality rate due to diabetes increased 13%.
By contrast, the probability of dying from any one of the four main non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases or diabetes) between the ages of 30 and 70 decreased by 22% globally between 2000 and 2019.
Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes may occur suddenly. In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can be mild and may take many years to be noticed.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- feeling very thirsty
- needing to urinate more often than usual
- blurred vision
- feeling tired
- losing weight unintentionally
Over time, diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of health problems including heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.
Diabetes can cause permanent vision loss by damaging blood vessels in the eyes.
Many people with diabetes develop problems with their feet from nerve damage and poor blood flow. This can cause foot ulcers and may lead to amputation.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. In 2017 there were 9 million people with type 1 diabetes; the majority of them live in high-income countries. Neither its cause nor the means to prevent it are known.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of health problems including heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.
Diabetes can cause permanent vision loss by damaging blood vessels in the eyes.
Many people with diabetes develop problems with their feet from nerve damage and poor blood flow. This can cause foot ulcers and may lead to amputation.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects how your body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. It stops the body from using insulin properly, which can lead to high levels of blood sugar if not treated.
Over time, type 2 diabetes can cause serious damage to the body, especially nerves and blood vessels.
Type 2 diabetes is often preventable. Factors that contribute to developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and genetics.
Early diagnosis is important to prevent the worst effects of type 2 diabetes. The best way to detect diabetes early is to get regular check-ups and blood tests with a healthcare provider.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be mild. They may take several years to be noticed. Symptoms may be similar to those of type 1 diabetes but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, after complications have already arisen.
More than 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was formerly called non-insulin dependent, or adult onset. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring increasingly frequently in children.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia with blood glucose values above normal but below those diagnostic of diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy.
Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery. These women and possibly their children are also at increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than through reported symptoms.
Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glycaemia
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) are intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, although this is not inevitable.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes are the best way to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
- reach and keep a health body weight
- stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day
- eat a healthy diet and avoid sugar and saturated fat
- Not smoke tobacco.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) are intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, although this is not inevitable.
Diagnosis and treatment
Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive testing of blood glucose. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections for survival.
One of the most important ways to treat diabetes is to keep a healthy lifestyle.
Some people with type 2 diabetes will need to take medicines to help manage their blood sugar levels. These can include insulin injections or other medicine as prescribed by a qualified physician.
Learn more;
Download the Pdf by Ministry Of Health
Diabetes Facts and Figures
Diabetes facts and figures show the growing global burden for individuals, families, and countries. The IDF Diabetes Atlas (2021) reports that 10.5% of the adult population (20-79 years) has diabetes, with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition.
By 2045, IDF projections show that 1 in 8 adults, approximately 783 million, will be living with diabetes, an increase of 46%.
Over 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which is driven by socio-economic, demographic, environmental, and genetic factors.
The key contributors to the rise in type 2 diabetes include:
- Urbanisation
- An ageing population
- Decreasing levels of physical activity
- Increasing overweight and obesity prevalence
However, it is possible to reduce the impact of diabetes by taking preventive measures for type 2 diabetes and providing early diagnosis and proper care for all types of diabetes. These measures can help people living with the condition avoid or delay complications.
Diabetes around the world in 2021
537 million
Approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes.
643 million by 2030
The total number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.
3 in 4
3 in 4 adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries