What is diabetes?
What the numbers tell us
(an autoimmune condition that primarily affects children and young adults and requires lifelong insulin therapy)
(the most common form, strongly linked to lifestyle factors and largely preventable)
(which develops during pregnancy)
There is also prediabetes, an early warning stage that presents an important window of opportunity for prevention.
An estimated 537 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes.
Africa is the continent experiencing the fastest growth in diabetes prevalence. In Mozambique, as in much of the region, most Type 2 diabetes cases remain undiagnosed, meaning damage can progress silently without the individual being aware of it
Persistent thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and tingling sensations in the hands or feet.
These symptoms are often dismissed as signs of ageing or exhaustion, allowing the disease to progress without intervention.
Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable.
– A fibre-rich diet
– Regular physical activity
– Adequate sleep
– Effective stress management
– Sugary drinks
– Ultra-processed foods
– Sedentary lifestyles
– Sleep deprivation
Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy, supported by increasingly advanced technologies.
Type 2 diabetes management typically begins with lifestyle modifications and, when necessary, oral medication or insulin therapy.
– Regular medical follow-up
– Annual eye examinations
– Kidney function monitoring
– Proper foot care
– Psychological support
Diabetes comes with ongoing and cumulative costs, including consultations, laboratory tests, medication, and specialist care.
Without adequate health cover, individuals are often forced to choose between paying for treatment and compromising their financial stability, or delaying care and allowing the disease to progress.
Health cover is not a luxury.
It is access to care.
Mediplus provides cover for specialist consultations, laboratory tests, hospitalisation, and emergency care across the country.
For businesses, corporate health plans help reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover associated with poorly managed diabetes within the workforce.
If you do not have diabetes but have risk factors, get tested now.
If you have prediabetes, take action while the window of opportunity remains open.
If you have diabetes, ensure you have access to the care you need.
If you are responsible for a team, a corporate health plan is a strategic decision, not simply an administrative one.
