Mozambique: Human rights situation “desolate” in Mozambique - CDD | Watch
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Mozambique’s Minister of Health, Nazira Abdula, has expressed concern about the increase in diabetes in the country, estimating that 7.4 percent of the population suffers from the disease, making increasing demands on health care.
Abdula was describing Mozambique’s diabetes situation at the launch of the “Integrated Approach to Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Hypertension in Primary Health Care” project in the Cabo Delgado capital, Pemba.
According to Abdula, 7.4 percent of the Mozambican population [615,322 inhabitants] suffers from diabetes mellitus, “which is of concern for the nation, since it represents an increase from 3.8 percent in 2005”.
Quoting a 2015 study “Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension and Diabetes (STEPS)”, Abdula reported that, in 2015, hypertension affected 39 percent of the population between 25 and 64 years of age, representing an increase from 35 percent in 2005.
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes kills five million people and hypertension about 9.4 million people every year, most of them in low-income countries.
Abdula said the diabetes and hypertension project would promote community education for a healthy lifestyle, improve access to health care, diagnosis and treatment, train health professionals and improve health information for chronic diseases.
“This project, which also provides for the training of 510 health professionals, will be phased in in health units in 27 districts across three provinces,” said Abdula.
Health centers covered by the initiative will be equipped with equipment such as a blood glucose meters, giving patients information about their health status.
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