World Diabetes Day: 2,709 People Died from Diabetes in 2024

On World Diabetes Day, it was reported that 2,709 people died from diabetes in Mauritius in 2024. In light of the alarming rise of diabetes cases in the country, health authorities and the WHO are calling for collective responsibility. During the event held on November 14 at the Ministry of Health, officials highlighted the urgent need for action, prevention, and stronger public health policies.

Health Minister Anil Bachoo and WHO representative Dr. Anne Ancia raised concerns about the rapid progression of diabetes in Mauritius, noting that one in five deaths is related to the disease. In 2024, 22.3% of recorded deaths were due to diabetes. Additionally, 15.9% of the adult population is prediabetic, with screenings in secondary schools revealing that 490 students are prediabetic and 32 are already diabetic. "Diabetes is a disease that is wreaking havoc in Mauritius," emphasized Minister Bachoo.

To improve diabetes management, the ministry plans to increase awareness campaigns and establish specialized centers in every regional hospital, including Foot Clinics. Following the opening of a center in Souillac, a second one will soon open at Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital, followed by others at SAJ Hospital and SSRN. The minister urged the public to get screened early, reminding them that diabetes leads to numerous complications and calling for serious attention to the disease through regular screenings.

Anishta Babooram, the deputy health minister, described the day not as a celebration but a commemoration, as many Mauritians suffer from diabetes without even knowing their status. She stressed the importance of dietary vigilance: "We cannot continue consuming products that lead to diabetes or worsen the situation."

Dr. Anne Ancia also put the issue into a global context, stating that over 530 million people live with diabetes worldwide, including 34 million in Africa, with significant increases expected in the coming years. In Mauritius, studies show that one in five individuals is affected, with one in two youths showing signs of prediabetes. She deemed the situation "clearly urgent."

The WHO representative emphasized the need for a comprehensive response: enhancing prevention, implementing accessible and understandable interventions, and enacting legislation to limit access to overly sugary or fatty products. She also mentioned the importance of promoting healthier food production and continuing the review of the taxation system. Simplifying access to nutritional information is also vital, especially within the framework of the roadmap on obesity, a major risk factor.

Dr. Ancia stressed the importance of intensifying systematic screenings, particularly among at-risk populations, to act early before medication is needed. She highlighted the severe complications diabetes can cause: approximately 700 amputations occur each year in Mauritius, along with various kidney problems, leading to ongoing efforts to develop a renal transplant unit.

Moreover, diabetes affects all segments of the population: children with Type I diabetes, increasingly affected young adults, and pregnant women exposed to gestational diabetes. According to her, everyone must contribute to collective efforts alongside the authorities by supporting necessary legislations and investing in prevention actions.

The WHO has provided scientific recommendations; it is up to health professionals to implement them, and society must help inform the public better, she asserted. Simple actions—better nutrition, physical activity, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption—can significantly enhance longevity and overall well-being.

The WHO also aims to revise nutritional labeling for informed choices and regulate advertisements targeting children, who are particularly vulnerable. The goal is to promote the consumption of healthy foods and regular physical activity.