Baku mulls new approaches to problem of diabetes

New approaches to the problem of diabetes mellitus have today been discussed at a press briefing of the Azerbaijan Society of Diabetes.

The event was held under the USAID health care strengthening project in Azerbaijan.
Chairwoman of the Azerbaijani Society of diabetes, Mominat Omarova, made a presentation about the impact of the disease, calling it a ``21st century pandemic``.

According to her, Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. “It is the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most high-income countries and there is substantial evidence that it is epidemic in many economically developing and newly industrialised countries.”

“Diabetes is undoubtedly one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century.
“The number of studies describing the possible causes and distribution of diabetes over the last 20 years has been extraordinary. These studies continue to confirm that it is the low- and middle-income countries that face the greatest burden of diabetes. However, many governments and public health planners still remain largely unaware of the current magnitude, or, more importantly, the future potential for increases in diabetes and its serious complications in their own countries.

More than 371 million people in the world have diabetes, half of whom are undiagnosed, according to the latest update to the International Diabetes Federation`s Diabetes Atlas. The number of people with diabetes has increased in every country in the world. An estimated 275 people develop type 2 diabetes, the most common form every day. By 2023, the disease is projected to become the leading specific cause of disease burden for men and the second leading cause for women.

In total, the IDF estimate that 8.3% of the adult population of the world is living with diabetes. By 2030, they say, over 552 million adults – 9.9% of the population – will have the condition,” she noted.

The participants made reports on ways of fighting against diabetes.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new two-year health project – Azerbaijan Strengthening Health Systems through Integrated Programs (AZ SHIP).
AZ SHIP will provide technical assistance to improve health care by addressing constraints in governance, resource management, quality of services as well as education and empowerment of health care consumers. The project will build on past accomplishments of USAID`s health projects. AZ SHIP will play a critical role in building capacity of health providers to diagnose and treat prioritized health diseases. AZ SHIP will target maternal, neonatal, and child health, reproductive health/family planning, and tuberculosis services. It will further integrate these priority areas into the primary health care delivery system.


/AzerTAc/