Eastern Regional Health Directorate I concerned over alarming increase of type 1 diabetes among children.
The health directorate estimates that about 1 in 100 children in the region have type 1 diabetes which is expected to increase in the coming years.
Dr. Abigail Doduwah Sackey ,Eastern Region none-communicable disease coordinator said the situation is disturbing given that children with type 1 diabetes require lifelong management including regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, healthy lifestyle and insulin therapy which is very expensive and inaccessible in parts of the country leaving such children to their fate.
“According to recent studies, prevalence of type 1 diabetes in Eastern region is increasing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that about 1 in 100 children in the region have type 1 diabetes, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. This is a cause for concern, as type 1 diabetes can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, and can also place a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Children with type 1 diabetes require lifelong management, including regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, insulin therapy and healthy lifestyle”
She stated that, generally, there are about 150,000 people in Ghana living with diabetes and a significant proportion of these have type 1 diabetes but “unfortunately, insulin can be expensive and difficult to access in some parts Ghana, which can make it challenging for people with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition. Hence the need for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complication”.
