Diabetes: A National Emergency in Mauritius

Title: Diabetes: A National Emergency in Mauritius

On World Diabetes Day, health authorities are sounding the alarm: the disease is progressing at an alarming rate in Mauritius. The Minister of Health and the WHO representative are calling for a collective mobilization to combat this epidemic.

According to the Minister of Health, Anil Bachoo, diabetes has reached alarming proportions in Mauritius. He made these remarks during the launch of activities marking World Diabetes Day. He stated that this disease is wreaking havoc across the country, with one in five deaths linked to diabetes. In 2024, 2,709 people died from diabetes, accounting for nearly 22.3% of total recorded deaths.

The Minister also highlighted that 15.9% of the population is pre-diabetic. Additionally, screening results from secondary schools revealed that 490 students are pre-diabetic, and 32 are already suffering from the disease.

In response to this concerning situation, the ministry plans to implement awareness campaigns across the island and establish specialized centers in each regional hospital for diabetes treatment, including "Foot Clinics." Following Souillac, another center will soon open at Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital, followed by SAJ Hospital and SSRN. The goal is to detect, prevent, and provide quality care.

Minister Bachoo urged the population to get screened before it’s too late, reminding everyone that diabetes can lead to numerous complications.

Meanwhile, the WHO representative in Mauritius, Dr. Anne Ancia, described diabetes as a societal plague that is progressing rapidly on a global scale. She believes that the numbers could double in the next twenty years. According to her, one in three people is affected by diabetes, and one in two young people shows signs of pre-diabetes. She advocates for a holistic approach focused on prevention to avoid the population contracting the disease.