World Diabetes Day: Saima Wazed Highlights Need for Collective Action

World Diabetes Day was observed on November 14, with this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps “, serving as a call to action to address the growing burden of diabetes globally, especially in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Speaking on the occasion, Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, underscored the importance of overcoming challenges faced by individuals, communities, and health systems in preventing and managing diabetes.

“Diabetes affects nearly 246 million people in the WHO South-East Asia Region, with more than 60 per cent unaware of their status. Untreated and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure, placing an immense emotional and financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems,” Wazed noted.

She commended the region’s progress, highlighting that over 23 million people have been placed on protocol-based management by mid-2024, as countries work towards the SEAHEARTS target of standard treatment for 100 million individuals by 2025. However, Wazed stressed the urgent need to enhance primary healthcare readiness by equipping systems with essential medicines, diagnostics, and trained personnel.

As part of her address, she advocated for integrating diabetes care into primary healthcare systems, implementing the WHO HEARTS D package, and aligning diabetes services with infectious disease programmes like tuberculosis for mutual benefit.

Wazed urged governments, healthcare providers, and communities to work together, stating, “Let us ensure equitable, affordable, and high-quality diabetes care for all, leaving no one behind.