MOCHUDI - A World Health Organisation (WHO) official says Botswana is still behind in combating or dealing with chronic non-communicable diseases.

Speaking at a World Diabetes Day commemoration in Mochudi on Saturday, WHO representative, Dr Eugene Nyarko said chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes are rapidly increasing among the populations, saying there is an urgent need to accelerate efforts to curb them.

He said WHO would provide the necessary technical support to the government for the development and strengthening of national policies and cost-effective interventions in line with the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for diabetes prevention and control.

Since 1985, he said, the number of diabetics has increased from an estimated 30 million to about 250 million today.

Unless effective prevention and control measures are urgently undertaken, he noted, the number of diabetics may reach 360 million by 2025.

Dr Nyarko said the explosion of diabetes is likely to overwhelm the healthcare systems everywhere and undermine the gains of economic development in many countries.

However, he said Type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented by educating and encouraging those at risk to maintain a healthy weight, do regular physical activity, and adopt a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and with low content of sugar, fats and salt.

In the absence of proper education, he stated that people who have diabetes are less prepared to take informed decisions, make behavioural changes and address the psychosocial issues related to the disease.

Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Maxwell Motowane said 80 per cent of the population estimated to have diabetes live in low and middle income countries like Botswana while five per cent of all deaths globally are attributed to diabetes.

A survey carried in 2007 in eight districts, he said, revealed that over 30 000 of the population of Botswana were diabetic.

He also noted that the survey indicated that 53 per cent of the female population was obese, which put them at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Mr Motowane said the costs incurred as a result of increased diabetes are overwhelming. Of the many, he said, there is the burden on the health system as treatment is life-long and becomes expensive over time.

The assistant minister also noted that diabetes, if left unchecked, could provoke complications such as hypertension, narrowing of the blood vessels, reduced or loss of sight, kidney problems and other conditions.

He said the ministry would continue to invest in public education programmes and regular screening to prevent diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

Signs of diabetes include excessive drinking of water, frequent urination, tiredness, and increased appetite.

He however said Botswana, as a country, has adopted the WHO global strategy on appropriate diet and physical activity to promote healthy lifestyles.

World Diabetes Day is commemorated annually as a global awareness day to sensitize the public about the dangers of diabetes and how to prevent it.

It is also meant to address the burden of diabetes on governments and people.

The campaign slogan for this year is Understand diabetes and take control. BOPA