Fight against diabetes: in Guinea its prevalence has reached 6.5%

Guinea celebrated World Diabetes Day on November 14 at the Donka national hospital. This event reveals the importance of raising awareness of this chronic disease when we know that diabetes affects a large number of people worldwide and represents a major concern for public health in Guinea where its prevalence reaches 6.5%.

DENK Pharma, in collaboration with the endocrinology, diabetology and metabolic disease department, organized a free diabetes screening campaign to help needy populations get screened. According to Dr Denis Bernard Raiche, general administrator of the Donka national hospital “the prevalence of diabetes has reached 6.5% here in Guinea. What is very important is that one of our missions at the public health level is to detect chronic diseases.

These undetected illnesses can have serious health consequences. “Preventing diabetes, like high blood pressure, is a message of hope which aims to increase the life expectancy of populations,” explains Dr Denis.

He also stressed the need for early detection of diabetes symptoms: “If you have symptoms like excessive thirst, constant hunger, weight loss despite eating a normal diet, unusual fatigue or loss of feeling in fingers or hands, it is crucial to come to Donka National Hospital to check your blood sugar,” he said.

The day was marked by various medical interventions, free consultations and distribution of medicines to patients. Dr. Raiche clarified that this day would not have been possible without the contribution of their valuable partners, including pharmaceutical companies and the Association of Medical Students of Guinea.

Mari Sylla, who came to accompany my husband, who has been ill for ten years, complains about the cost of medicine. “I heard this news yesterday on the radio, and I immediately decided to send him for consultation. The doctor he saw promised that he would be hospitalized here. My husband is seriously ill, and I myself suffer from high blood pressure and would also like to be consulted and taken care of. The medicines cost between 400,000 and 500,000 Guinean francs, which is very expensive. »

Following Mari Sylla, another patient Aïcha Camara testifies to the high cost of diabetes care and pleads for more assistance from the health authorities.

“We heard that for this world day, medicines are free. This is why we came, because the medicines are very expensive, and we do not work. Some of us have even lost our husbands, and there is no help available. We request the authorities to help us obtain the necessary medicines.”

These testimonies from Mari Sylla and Aïcha Camara reflect the reality of many patients facing high costs for the treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes in Guinea.

Health authorities hope through this day of awareness and screening at Donka National Hospital to increase awareness of the importance of preventing and managing diabetes, while offering medical services to those who need them most.

Mansa Moussa Mara, Mamadou Kindy Bah