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Diabetes More Prevalent in Developing Countries

An estimated 346 million people have diabetes worldwide, with 277 million living in developing countries. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that the number of deaths from diabetes will double between 2005 and 2030.

With hundreds of millions of people suffering from diabetes, and the number expected to keep rising, the United Nations today called on governments and drug companies to ensure that sufferers have the care and treatment they deserve.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon used his World Diabetes Day, which is observed on 14 November each year, to raise awareness about the needs of people living with diabetes, which is becoming particularly prevalent in developing countries.

"Too often, the disease hits the poorest especially hard, leading to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, limb amputations, kidney failure and premature death." - Mr. Ban

A chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, diabetes can lead over time to serious damage to the body, particularly the nerves and blood vessels.

In his message Mr. Ban noted that in September the General Assembly held its first-ever high-level meeting on the subject of non-communicable diseases, producing a political declaration that included a pledge to make it possible for more people to get quality medicines for diabetes by 2013.

The declaration also called for partnerships between governments and pharmaceutical companies to ensure access to affordable drugs in poorer countries.

Source: United Nations