[Blog Series] World Health Day – Diabetes and RMNCAH in Africa: Overview Statement

We will be publishing a series of articles exploring the reasons behind the worrying rise in cases of diabetes, the devastating impact of the disease on women and children, and most importantly, the policy initiatives necessary to tackle the fast-paced spread of diabetes in developing countries.

We hope this series will kickstart a new level of awareness about the crippling effects and dangers that non-communicable diseases like diabetes have on RMNCAH in low- middle income countries. As with the Zika virus and Ebola, this is largely due to poor health infrastructure and socio-economic factors.

Yet diabetes is both preventable and manageable.Through a combination of interdisciplinary research, which will enable nations to adopt policies such as screening for pregnant women and healthcare partnerships, alongside initiatives like ICM’s Midwifery Services Framework MSF for Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Services, and the WBFA’s personal health records, there is no shortage of hope nor will to find a way forward.

Toyin Saraki
Goodwill Ambassador, ICM
Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation

Photo credit: The Wellbeing Foundation Africa

Blog series links [to be updated as each blog is posted]

R is for Reproductive Health
M is for Maternal Health
N is for Newborn Health
C is for Child Health
A is for Adolescent Health
H is for Health