Diabetes At Epidemic Stage In Ghana

Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Diabetes has now assumed epidemic proportions in Ghana with the upsurge in cases throughout the country, a public health specialist has warned.

Dr James K. Teprey of the Disease Control Unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital says the national prevalence rate is now pegged at 4 percent, although current trend shows the prevalence rate might be higher.

"Even though the epidemic is global, it is alarming to note that most of the new cases are to be found in developing countries such as Ghana, where some 30,000 people are known to be suffering from the disease," he told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

"This figure does not include those who have not reported to health facilities and those who do not know they have the disease. Only about 5 percent of the estimated number of patients with diabetes cases are now reporting to the health facilities," he said.

Diabetes is a clinical syndrome characterised by high glucose levels in the blood because of deficiency of a hormone called insulin.

Teprey noted that "Western lifestyles and diets, such as fatty foods and eating too much of sweet things, excessive alcohol and little bodily exercise are some reasons for the upsurge."

"Avoid obesity. Gone are the days when obesity was associated with beauty and affluence. Obesity is a disease. It predisposes one to getting diabetes and other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, stroke, heart attack and gout," he said.

"Eat the right food in the right quantities. Eat plenty of natural foods such as vegetables, fruits, and beans. Eat little of sweet things," he added.

Teprey said a policy document to guide the management and control of diabetes is almost completed, adding that a national database for diabetes and other non- communicable diseases is also being established to identify the burden of the disease and for monitoring trends.

In 1995 a total of 350 diabetic cases were reported from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. The figure rose to 8,000 in 1999. At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi 1,000 cases were reported in 1992 and the caseload rose to 7,000 in 1999.

"Diabetes management teams have been trained and equipped in over 60 percent of all health facilities. The ministry of health has intensified health education and improved clinical management of the disease," Teprey said.

Recommending regular visits to health centres, he added: "It takes only a finger prick and 45 seconds to know your blood glucose level. Remember to do this once a year."

Among some symptoms of the disease which afflicts all ages, sexes, social classes and races are frequent skin problems and wounds that do not heal, frequent thirst and urine and strange feeling of tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.