Diabetes in poorer countries 'overlooked by international healthcare'
22/10/09 18:46
People in developing countries are developing serious health problems and being forced to give up work due to a lack of diabetes treatment, a new study has revealed.
Commissioned by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), the report found that 70 per cent of all diabetes cases are now in low or middle-income countries.
Spending, however, continues to favour the better-off, with 90 per cent of investment reportedly going to patients in countries such as the US, Canada and much of western Europe.
Interviews conducted by researchers in five African nations indicated that around one in six people suffering from diabetes was forced to give up work due to ill-health.
A fifth said they were sacrificing food to save money for medical expenses, while more than half were unable to buy all the medicines they needed.
Study leader and IDF vice-president Kaushik Ramaiya warned that ignoring chronic illnesses could have serious consequences.
"When a father is fired because of a stroke, or a mother cannot raise crops and animals, or cook, because of blindness or an amputation, the entire family can find themselves homeless and pulled into dire poverty," he explained.
Fundraisers are gathering in Montreal today (October 22nd) to raise money and awareness by taking part in the IDF 5km Walk/Run to demonstrate how physical activity can guard against diabetes.
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