Health Ministry to carry out diabetes survey
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from MONITOR ONLINE
The Ministry of Health yesterday launched the international guidelines for the management of diabetes, with a warning that incidence of the disease and other non-communicable diseases “has sharply risen in Uganda”.
“We have also observed that the disease is afflicting more of our young population than before,” a statement from the Ministry of Health said. “Complications of diabetes are reported with increasing frequency at our rural health facilities.”
Although the ministry claims the disease is on the rise, Dr James Sekajugo, the head of non communicable Disease Unit in the Ministry of Health, told a press briefing in Kampala yesterday that there are no accurate figures on the prevalence of diabetes in the country, with bureaucrats relying on raw data from hospitals and other health units, as well as from traditional healers.
“It’s because of this that the first ever community-based Ugandan Non Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey is going to be carried out,” Dr Sekajugo said adding that, “The data and information collected during this survey will enable the ministry to formulate an evidence-based national policy on diabetes.”
Diabetes is a disease associated with major complications like heart diseases, blindness and impotence. At the same function, State Minister for Health Richard Nduhuura said the disease was defying stereotypes.
“Contrary to the popular belief, it is not a disease of the rich; everyone, man or woman, rich or poor, young or old can be affected,” Mr Nduhuura noted.The Ministry of Health has established a unit to plan and coordinate all the non-communicable disease prevention and control efforts. Mr Nduhuura said the ministry intends to support this unit with the appropriate personnel and facilities.
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