Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, has said an estimated 53,600 cases of diabetes could be reported in 2025, if the current trend remains unabated.

Health Secretary of State Mbowe gave this warning signal on Wednesday at the RVTH, while receiving diabetic test kits, drugs, medical supplies and equipment donated by the Miss Black USA.

Dr Mbowe revealed that an estimated 29,600 people in the country have diabetes. He said the estimates for 2007 indicated 278 female deaths, and 226 male deaths, which can be attributed to diabetes related cases.

Given this precarious situation which places a great burden on the limited health resources, Health Secretary of State pointed out that his department has advanced efforts to develop a national policy to prevent the growth of the diabetic epidemic within the context of a policy on non-communicable diseases.   

He informed the guests about the high awareness level on the causes and symptoms of the disease. “Civil society organisations have also emerged under the banner of the National Diabetes Association,” he said, noting that President Yahya Jammeh has also included diabetes in his treatment package. He said this high level of political commitment and visionary leadership, as well as goodwill gestures gave hope that the country will make significant inroad in the prevention of the disease.

He lauded the itemisation of diabetes awareness campaign in the programme of 2007 Miss Black USA, saying it provided the opportunity to raise awareness on the prevention of the disease and its complications. According to him, this was in line with the UN Resolution 61/255 on World Diabetes Day, which is observed in The Gambia on November 14 annually.

SoS Mbowe felicitated the contestants for furthering the aspirations of black heroes, such as Padmore Dubois, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Nkrumah, as well as 21st Century Pan-Africanists like President Jammeh. He said these men share the vision of improving the socio-economic conditions of blacks, including African-Americans. He then thanked the Miss Black USA contestants for the gesture.